It was a golden afternoon at Cullick Field, as the Coal City High School Athletic Department honored one of its own—John Cullick—for 50 years of dedicated service and commitment to the Coal City School District.
In 1975, Mr. Cullick was teaching and coaching at Gardner Grade School when he got the call to make the move to Coal City. In his first two years with the district he coached middle school basketball. Then in 1978 he took the reins of the high school team serving as its head varsity coach—a position he held for nine seasons with a record of 120 wins. His success on the court was recognized by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association who inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 1988.
Mr. Cullick’s commitment to student-athletes led him to the position of district athletic director, a position he held from 1986 until his retirement in 2003, but as anyone familiar with Coalers Athletics knows—Mr. Cullick’s commitment to the school district and its athletic programs remain just as strong as the day he started.
“Not only did Mr. Cullick oversee an athletic department that experienced significant growth and success, but he also dedicated the extra time necessary to take the outdoor athletic facilities to a level of excellence no one thought possible,” said Brad Boresi, the school’s athletic director.
In the spring of 2003, the high school baseball field was dedicated to and named the John H. Cullick Field, an honor recognizing his unwavering commitment to the Coal City School District and its student-athletes.
Following retirement from his day-to-day duties with the district, Mr. Cullick was hired as a part-time athletic groundskeeper—a title he still holds today.
The 2024-2025 school year marks Mr. Cullick’s 50th year of service to the Coal City School District and the Coal City community, and the pre-game ceremony on May 19 served as a tribute to a man who has and continues to give so much of himself to our schools and our student-athletes.
“From athletes past and present, current and former coaches, community members, families and members of the Coal City School District and athletic program, we would all like to say ‘thank you’ for the countless hours you’ve dedicated to our district, our schools, our students, our athletes and our fields. Coal City Athletics is not where it is today without your unwavering support over the last 50 years,” Boresi said.
Mr. Cullick’s legacy of leadership was celebrated by a large gathering of Coaler alumni, families and former colleagues. In recognition of the milestone, Mr. Cullick was presented with a custom Coalers baseball jersey—#50.