Remembering the Coach

Though many guests came with a heavy heart, it didn’t take long for the celebration of the life of Coach Mike Bullock to lift the spirits of those who turned out for the community picnic in his honor Saturday at Bay Head Park. 

Bullock was killed in a Route 50 accident last weekend.

The event was a request of Bullock’s wife Deb who wanted to offer the community the chance to honor the coach the way he would have wanted.

“It is hard to think of a person who had such an impact on kids in this area,” said Larry Stump, who coached the 13-U Cape football team with Bullock last year.

As car after car arrived in the Bay Head Park parking lot with passengers lugging food and coolers, the impact Bullock had on Cape residents become more and more impressive. And the diversity of the crowd was a testament to just how far his legacy would reach.

Members of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Women’s Rugby Team, where Bullock served as assistant coach, shared food and stories with members of the Broadneck High School football team, all who had learned important lessons from “Coach Mike” over the years.

“He taught me to always keep my head even if things got hard,” remembered one player.

“Even though I was smaller than a lot of players, he told me to stay mentally strong,” said another. 

Longtime friend Tre Williams served as DJ for the event, spinning the songs Bullock loved. “A little Jimmy Buffet, and hits from the 70’s and 80’s,” he said of the playlist. “And, of course, his favorite – Atomic Dog. We have to have that.”

Cathy Logan, whose son was coached and trained by Bullock, was selling t-shirts titled “Bullock’s Beasts,” a title for those who had been lucky enough to learn from the Coach over the years.

“It’s been a tough week,” said Logan. “He meant a lot to the kids.”

Jessica Russell, a coach for Cape Cheerleading, was there to support Mike’s daughter Corinne, a member of her team. “She is so strong, doing remarkably well,” said Russell. “We are amazed.”

Bullock’s son Ben enjoyed catching up with his Broadneck High School classmates. “It’s really nice they are all here,” he said.

Coach Stump said the football camp scheduled for next week will go on as planned, with volunteers who have stepped up to lead Bullock’s planned station that was a part of the program.

“He leaves a big void to fill,” said Stump. “We will carry on with what we learned from him.”