OUTSTANDING ATHLETE

Induction Year: 2008 | Graduation Year: 1977

Michael Bullock, a 1977 graduate of Tecumseh High School, was born in 1959 to Marge and Paul Bullock in Memphis, Tennessee. With a football career spanning over 40 years, playing until the age of 34 and coaching an additional 15 years, football and athletics have been an integral part of his life.

Upon moving to New Carlisle at the age of 4, Mike's football career began by joining the New Carlisle Cubs, where he was designated the mascot, but quickly began mixing it up with the older boys because of his size. Continuing to play for the Cubs for 7 years, his fondest memories were scoring touchdowns, getting to keep the game ball and then being voted MVP along with his best friend Kevin Parks. Additionally, he was a standout baseball player in the New Carlisle Little League. In 7th grade, he played with the 9th grade football team coached by Tom Depuit and Dwight Miller. Mike played football for three years at New Carlisle Middle School, also excelling at track by setting shot put and discus records along with running relays and sprints.

During his 3 years at Tecumseh High School, he earned 3 letters in football and 3 letters in track. Mike also began studying martial arts, which he eventually mastered and went on to teach to numerous students and organizations. Mike credits his high school football coaches' Bob Hartley and Dave Wielding as helping to mold and shape his life forever. His first year as defensive tackle, the team struggled and went 0-10. His second year, as the starting linebacker, the team went 4-6 in the GMVC conference, with Mike logging 140 tackles and the team breaking a 28 game losing streak against Springfield North. Additionally, he set many relay records in track with Mike Lipps and Wayne Yowell in Shot Put as well as winning the prestigious Piqua relays. He began singing in the school choir in his sophomore year, and sang in his church choir with his father. His junior year, Mike was undefeated in Shot Put, breaking the school record 9 times and winning the league throwing the shot put 55 feet plus (one of the few 50 feet plus throwers in the state of Ohio). He placed 2nd in district and 2nd in the regional's traveling to the state track meet. Mike also broke the discus record, he was also part of the sprint medley relay team that also broke the school record. Mike's senior year began with a torn knee ligament he injured playing basketball in the offseason, causing him to wear a brace the entire senior year. Mike continued playing his senior year and made all-league in football, logging 157 tackles, Mike ran a 4.70 forty yard dash, bench pressed 325 Ibs., and vertical jumped 31 inches. He averaged over 15 tackles a game, had 3 fumble recoveries, 4 blocked kicks, 3 interceptions 2 defensive touchdowns and a 367 tackle total in 3 years. Additional accomplishments included making the all-league, all-area, all Journal Herald team, News Sun Athlete of the week, 2nd team southwest district, elected to Who's Who All American, and was the first person from Tecumseh selected to play in the North-South Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.

Mike underwent torn ligament surgery following the football season, and continued on in track breaking his own school record in Shot Put, then again participating in the state track meet where he placed 8th overall, going to the state 2 years in a row.

Mike received a 4 year scholarship to the University of Cincinnati playing linebacker for the Cincinnati Bearcats. With a defense ranked 7th in the nation, and the team ranked 19th overall in the nation, Mike was able to break into the starting ranks his sophomore year playing in his first game against Florida State, who was then ranked 11th in the nation. Knee surgeries caused Mike to be unable to play his Junior and senior years. With a degree in Criminal Justice, he was one of the 2 recruits out of 40to graduate. He worked for the Attorney General's Office for 10 years in an undercover capacity and played and coached flag football with his friends winning numerous championships. Mike was also a varsity coach at Tecumseh with Dwight Miller and Mike Lucas.

Deciding to change careers, he went back to school obtaining a degree in Physical Education/Health. He started coaching High School Football at Preble Shawnee, also teaching PE and was the defensive coordinator, Strength Coach and track coach. He then went to Bellbrook as a teacher, defensive coordinator, Track coach, and strength coach. Mike was assistant coach of the year at Bellbrook and also was selected to coach in numerous all star games as defensive and offensive coordinator. Mike moved into college coaching for 5 years at the University of Dayton, coaching defensive ends and winning 21 games in a row, and numerous league championships with his High School Coach Dave Wielding. He also coached a few All Americans on a championship University of Dayton football program. He returned to high school coaching at Beavercreek. and was a head coach at Dixie High School. Currently, Mike is a Physical Education teacher at Bellbrook Middle School, and also works as a personal trainer specializing in acceleration training, speed and agility aimed at high school and college athletes.

Mike is very proud of his 4 children, ages 4-23, Mike teaches at Bellbrook middle school, enjoys staying physically fit, cooking, and can frequently be found on the golf course with his best friends Greg Whitt and Greg Esnaugle.