Clarion Athletics

Jim McCullough was an outstanding three-sport athlete who earned 12 varsity letters at Clarion. Jim started every football game from 1950 to 1953 either at quarterback or at defensive back, in addition to returning punts and kickoffs. A defensive star on the 1952 team which went 9-0 and won the Lions Bowl game over South Carolina, Jim still holds the single-season record of 1 0 interceptions in 1952. A four-year starter on the basketball team, McCullough was part of the outstanding 1952 team which posted a 17-0 regular season, won the NAIB District 30 Playoffs, and went to the NAIB National Tournament, but lost to Utah. A four year letter winner in baseball, McCullough hit .555 his junior year (1953) and had opportunities in professional baseball but declined.

Team captain in all three sports his senior year, he was an All State Teachers College selection in football and basketball in his career. A 1954 grad with a B.S. degree in education, the native of Franklin, Pa., and former Franklin High star was employed for one year at Franklin High as a teacher-coach, entered military service for two years, then returned to Franklin High as the head football and basketball coach through 1965. His grid teams were 41-22-4 with four championships, while his basketball teams were 125-70. A teacher-coach at Grove City College 1965-66, he was A.D. and football coach at Thiel College 1966-78, commissioner of the P.A.C. 1976-78, A.D. at California University of Pa. 1978-79, commissioner of the Gulf South Conference 1979-82, and has served as associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from 1982 to the present.