Fork Union Military Academy head prep football coach Mickey Sullivan announced Friday that he will step down at the end of the season.
In 28 years as the head coach of the Blue Devils, Sullivan is 187-103-2 and 192-117-3 in 30 seasons of coaching overall in his career.
"As a coach," Coach Sullivan explains, "I ask my players to give me 100% of their effort. It's not fair to ask that of them when I'm not able to meet the same standard all the time. I'd rather quit coaching two years too early, than stay two minutes too long."
Sullivan will continue to serve as FUMA's Director of Athletics, a position he's held for the last 27 years.
"I've asked Coach Sullivan to begin developing a comprehensive program for all cadets, regardless of their athletic ability, to raise their level of personal fitness and create a lifestyle of fitness that remains with our students throughout their lives," said RADM J. Scott Burhoe says. "Every cadet will be a cadet-athlete, regardless of whether they compete on a team."
Fork Union is planning an appropriate recognition for Coach Sullivan to coincide with his final home game on Friday, November 2nd against Woodberry Forest. FUMA invites alumni and former players to cheer the team to his final victory.
"Micky has an amazing record of accomplishment," states RADM Burhoe, "and is clearly the 'exemplar' any football coach could point to as the example to follow. Many of his players have gone on to play in college and professionally, but even more importantly his players have gone on to be well rounded in body, mind, and spirit, and leaders in industry, sports, and education."
