Coach McCullough doing what he loved, coaching football.
A Year Later
It’s been a year since my husband, Michael McCullough, the love of my life and my best friend passed away from a massive heart attack, leaving a big whole in my heart as well as the community. This year has seen highs and lows with lots of tears and laughter. My daughters, their husbands and my grandchildren play a large role in helping me to find the new normal. Family time sharing a meal, or something as simple as watching my one-year-old granddaughter walking in boots for the first time bring joy and laughter.
In remembrance of Michael’s life, here is part of a blog I wrote last year that explains what he meant to his friends, family and community.
A lover of all things football, one of his favorite things to do was coach. A founding member of the Rowan County Youth Football League (YFL) in Salisbury, NC, Michael spent almost thirty years of his forty year career coaching boys and a few girls in that league, overseeing the West Rowan area in which we lived.
Although good enough to coach at the high school level, Michael saw the arena of the younger players as his calling, not only teaching young men about football, but also about life. His lessons instilled morals and values, encouraging hard work both off and on the field.
A “softie” at heart, he could be a disciplinarian when necessary, using the philosophy of tough love at home with our daughters growing up, as well as on the field with his players. If school work was incomplete, they often found themselves sitting out a game on a Saturday afternoon.
Pat Phifer, a past player who later coached with Michael summed up the sentiment best when he said, The community has lost one of the most dedicated individuals that has ever spent time with our youth. Mike gave infinite amounts of his time to the kids and the game he loved. I was fortunate to help him coach a group of young men that later won three NC State Championships playing for West Rowan High School.
Mike always did things right like making sure everyone on his teams had good grades. He made that a priority. We as a community will surely miss him. He put his family first and for them there will always be a void. I hope and pray they can stand proud knowing their father and husband was such an asset to and caretaker of the kids’ lives he touched.
I have tears in my eyes while writing this and fond memories in my heart of a man for which I have so much respect. He gave his life tirelessly to help our youth when he had no children involved in the game. Mike rest in peace. Your family of hundreds of children and people you touched will miss you deeply.
A dedication ceremony will be held September 22, 2015 in honor of Coach McCullough at the West Rowan Sports Complex where he coached for so many years. The Kennedy-Hall American Legion Post 106 has made a plague in memory of him to be displayed on the concession stand. What a tremendous honor for a man who loved nothing more than to see young people reach their potential.
Our family extends the deepest thanks for all the cards, letters, love and support that has been shown to us this past year.
God bless,
Dicy McCullough
Daughters: Kristin Saine and Kelly Key
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
