Robert McCullough
The Times-Reporter newspaper once stated he was "one of the greatest athletes to ever attend Uhrichsville High School."
Bob McCullough was born on April 6, 1929 to James S. and Virginia L. (Cramblett) McCullough. He grew up on Eastport Avenue, Uhrichsville, Ohio. He was a center on the Uhrichsville High School basketball team (lettering for 3 years: 1944-1945, 1945-1946 and 1946-1947), where he held the single game high scoring record of 38 points for many years.
CONTACT INFO
- Address: 1972 Tamarisk Circle
Uniontown, OH 44685 - Phone: 330-329-7862
Bob's Life & Legacy
The Times-Reporter newspaper once stated he was "one of the greatest athletes to ever attend Uhrichsville High School."
Bob McCullough was born on April 6, 1929 to James S. and Virginia L. (Cramblett) McCullough. He grew up on Eastport Avenue, Uhrichsville, Ohio.
He was a center on the Uhrichsville High School basketball team (lettering for 3 years: 1944-1945, 1945-1946 and 1946-1947), where he held the single game high scoring record of 38 points for many years.
He lettered all four years on the Uhrichsville High School football team and served as captain of the football team his senior year. Bob was also class President, both his junior and senior year. In addition, he served as President of Hi-Y, a Christian youth organization. He graduated from Uhrichsville High School as Valedictorian in 1947; however, he was unable to make his speech that day because of the birth of his brother, Rich. During the summer months, he worked at the local sewer pipe plant.
Bob McCullough was born on April 6, 1929 to James S. and Virginia L. (Cramblett) McCullough. He grew up on Eastport Avenue, Uhrichsville, Ohio.
He was a center on the Uhrichsville High School basketball team (lettering for 3 years: 1944-1945, 1945-1946 and 1946-1947), where he held the single game high scoring record of 38 points for many years.
He lettered all four years on the Uhrichsville High School football team and served as captain of the football team his senior year. Bob was also class President, both his junior and senior year. In addition, he served as President of Hi-Y, a Christian youth organization. He graduated from Uhrichsville High School as Valedictorian in 1947; however, he was unable to make his speech that day because of the birth of his brother, Rich. During the summer months, he worked at the local sewer pipe plant.
After his high school graduation, Bob was tapped to play in the North-South football game held at Fawcett Stadium, Canton, Ohio, on August 15, 1947, where Ohio State University football coach Wes Fesler coached. When both of South's centers were injured in practice, Fesler called on McCullough, who weighed only 159 lbs. He was impressed with Bob's blocking and suggested, "Bob, you better come to Ohio State in the fall. We'll fatten you up." Bob was lauded by both the North and South coaches "for his brilliant, all-around play." A Daily Reporter newspaper story stated, "He was a lineman, a deadly tackler and a fierce blocker. He earned universal recognition because he was determined, had guts and worked hard."
Bob started out as a 12th string center in the fall of 1947 on the Ohio State University freshman squad. As a junior, he played on the Ohio State varsity team where he was awarded the prestigious "Varsity O" letter in both 1949 and 1950.
McCullough never weighed much by Big Ten standards-189 lbs. at 6'1," but he could block with the best of them. He had to master two vastly different blocking techniques to handle Fesler's complicated offense, which mixed T-formations and single-wing maneuvers. As center, McCullough snapped the ball to one of the all-time Buckeye greats, Vic Janowicz, a 1950 Heisman Trophy winner.
When Bob was a senior, coach Fesler commented: "His blocking is tremendous and, bear in mind that Mac would be our best linebacker, if we used him on defense. If ever there was an All-American lineman, he's it."
Bob played at the horseshoe in the famous "Snow Bowl" game against Michigan in 1950. Near blizzard conditions made vision almost impossible as the Wolverines posted a 9-3 victory. Bob's dad, Jim, a retired farmer, recalled heading for Columbus to watch Bob's final game, "I went to the railroad depot early and was advised no trains would be going to Columbus that day due to the heavy snow, so, I got in my car and headed for Columbus, but I didn't arrive at Ohio Stadium until 5, after the game was over. It was quite a driving experience for me."
Bob was selected as an All-American, by the American Football Coaches Association, which was announced on December 9, 1950 in Collier's magazine. Each week during the season the Coaches Association reported directly to Collier's on the work of the leading All-American candidates and the Collier's All-America board of coaches evaluated selected the best of the best to the 61st All-America team. Coach Fesler said, "Our Buckeye team had the nation's most accomplished center, Bob McCullough." Bob was one of only five Buckeyes to ever earn this national distinction.
In 1950 he was signed by Puritan Sweaters to endorse their products and was featured in their print advertisements.
Bob played in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on January 2, 1949 as a junior, which was the first time Ohio State won the coveted Rose Bowl.
As a senior at Ohio State, he was tapped for the All-East squad (#52) where he played in the East-West Shrine game to benefit the Shriner's Hospital for crippled children held on December 30, 1950 in San Francisco at the University of Santa Clara.
Bob was also chosen to the College All-Star team and played against the Honolulu Town Team in the Hula Bowl, Honolulu Stadium, on Sunday, January 7, 1951. This charity game was hosted by BPO Elks as a benefit for Hawaii's needy and underprivileged school children's milk fund.br />
Bob has a buckeye tree with a commemorative plaque in his honor in Buckeye Grove just outside the Ohio Stadium.
His photo appears in the book "The Best of the Buckeyes" as well as "The Official Ohio State Football Encyclopedia."
McCullough graduated from The Ohio State University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. That fall, Woody Hayes began his legendary coaching career at OSU.
In January of 1951, Bob was asked by L.T. "Buck" Shaw, the coach of the San Francisco 49ers if he would play professional football, provided a satisfactory contract could be agreed upon.
He was also recruited by the Green Bay Packers in 1951; however, instead, he was drafted into the Army.
Bob was a colonel in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. While serving in the 101 Airborne Division, he was chosen for the All-Star Service team and played in several military football bowl games. In 1951, he played center for the Camp Breckenridge Eagles football squad in the Refrigerator Bowl Classic. He was selected to the All-Army squad and also played in the Salad Bowl. He was honorably discharged on July 29, 1953.
On April 10, 1954, he married Polly McCollam in Dennison at the Presbyterian Church.
After serving in the Army, Bob spent six years at James Rhodes High School in Cleveland where he taught physical education and started out as the assistant high school football coach, later being named head football coach. In 1957, after attending evening classes at Case Western Reserve University, he earned his master's degree in educational administration.
He served for two years as a guidance counselor then became principal at Tuscarawas Valley High School.
In 1963, he became High School Principal at Perry Local Schools in Lake County and after one year, he was promoted to Superintendent. From 1964 to 1967, he served as superintendent. He continued attending Case Western Reserve University evenings while in Perry, and had he completed his dissertation, he would have had a doctorate degree in education from Case, as well.
In a Daily Reporter newspaper article on Wednesday, August 31, 1966, Bob was quoted as saying, "I would like to caution the young athletes to always be cognizant of the fact that education is to prepare them for earning a livelihood for the remainder of their lives and that athletics are only one minor facet in their education. Keep athletics in proper perspective and don't ever permit others to encourage you to go to college just to play sports."
Not wanting the pressure of the superintendent position at Perry any longer because he had experienced several heart attacks, he assumed the role of assistant superintendent and business manager at Hudson Local Schools. He was a member and a trustee of the Hudson Methodist Church.
On September 4, 1970, all Ohio State University All-American football players were honored at the Central Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Sports dinner in Columbus. Governor James A. Rhodes chaired the event and Bob Hope was the guest speaker.
Tragically, Bob passed away from a heart attack while jogging in Hudson Middle School at the age of 42.
He was the father of three children: Shari, Scott and Stacy and a brother to Jim and Rich. He was first and foremost a family man. He had a great sense of humor, was well-liked, and above all, was honest as well as very humble. Bob McCullough was definitely an achiever.
In 1973, The McCullough Award was instituted in his memory by the Claymont Mustang Booster Club. Chic Maurer was the first recipient. The recipient honors a member of the Twin City communities for outstanding contributions to Claymont athletics.
On Friday, August 22, 2008, Claymont Athletic Director, Jim Riley, organized the "Bob McCullough Recognition Night" at Claymont High School Stadium, which took place during halftime of the Harrison Central football game. A bronze plaque was placed on wall of the practice room in Bob's honor, special welcome banners were hung at the stadium entrances and family members received special plaques as well as floral corsages.
View Bob's Historic Articles
Bob started out as a 12th string center in the fall of 1947 on the Ohio State University freshman squad. As a junior, he played on the Ohio State varsity team where he was awarded the prestigious "Varsity O" letter in both 1949 and 1950.
McCullough never weighed much by Big Ten standards-189 lbs. at 6'1," but he could block with the best of them. He had to master two vastly different blocking techniques to handle Fesler's complicated offense, which mixed T-formations and single-wing maneuvers. As center, McCullough snapped the ball to one of the all-time Buckeye greats, Vic Janowicz, a 1950 Heisman Trophy winner.
When Bob was a senior, coach Fesler commented: "His blocking is tremendous and, bear in mind that Mac would be our best linebacker, if we used him on defense. If ever there was an All-American lineman, he's it."
Bob played at the horseshoe in the famous "Snow Bowl" game against Michigan in 1950. Near blizzard conditions made vision almost impossible as the Wolverines posted a 9-3 victory. Bob's dad, Jim, a retired farmer, recalled heading for Columbus to watch Bob's final game, "I went to the railroad depot early and was advised no trains would be going to Columbus that day due to the heavy snow, so, I got in my car and headed for Columbus, but I didn't arrive at Ohio Stadium until 5, after the game was over. It was quite a driving experience for me."
Bob was selected as an All-American, by the American Football Coaches Association, which was announced on December 9, 1950 in Collier's magazine. Each week during the season the Coaches Association reported directly to Collier's on the work of the leading All-American candidates and the Collier's All-America board of coaches evaluated selected the best of the best to the 61st All-America team. Coach Fesler said, "Our Buckeye team had the nation's most accomplished center, Bob McCullough." Bob was one of only five Buckeyes to ever earn this national distinction.
In 1950 he was signed by Puritan Sweaters to endorse their products and was featured in their print advertisements.
Bob played in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on January 2, 1949 as a junior, which was the first time Ohio State won the coveted Rose Bowl.
As a senior at Ohio State, he was tapped for the All-East squad (#52) where he played in the East-West Shrine game to benefit the Shriner's Hospital for crippled children held on December 30, 1950 in San Francisco at the University of Santa Clara.
Bob was also chosen to the College All-Star team and played against the Honolulu Town Team in the Hula Bowl, Honolulu Stadium, on Sunday, January 7, 1951. This charity game was hosted by BPO Elks as a benefit for Hawaii's needy and underprivileged school children's milk fund.br />
Bob has a buckeye tree with a commemorative plaque in his honor in Buckeye Grove just outside the Ohio Stadium.
His photo appears in the book "The Best of the Buckeyes" as well as "The Official Ohio State Football Encyclopedia."
McCullough graduated from The Ohio State University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. That fall, Woody Hayes began his legendary coaching career at OSU.
In January of 1951, Bob was asked by L.T. "Buck" Shaw, the coach of the San Francisco 49ers if he would play professional football, provided a satisfactory contract could be agreed upon.
He was also recruited by the Green Bay Packers in 1951; however, instead, he was drafted into the Army.
Bob was a colonel in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. While serving in the 101 Airborne Division, he was chosen for the All-Star Service team and played in several military football bowl games. In 1951, he played center for the Camp Breckenridge Eagles football squad in the Refrigerator Bowl Classic. He was selected to the All-Army squad and also played in the Salad Bowl. He was honorably discharged on July 29, 1953.
On April 10, 1954, he married Polly McCollam in Dennison at the Presbyterian Church.
After serving in the Army, Bob spent six years at James Rhodes High School in Cleveland where he taught physical education and started out as the assistant high school football coach, later being named head football coach. In 1957, after attending evening classes at Case Western Reserve University, he earned his master's degree in educational administration.
He served for two years as a guidance counselor then became principal at Tuscarawas Valley High School.
In 1963, he became High School Principal at Perry Local Schools in Lake County and after one year, he was promoted to Superintendent. From 1964 to 1967, he served as superintendent. He continued attending Case Western Reserve University evenings while in Perry, and had he completed his dissertation, he would have had a doctorate degree in education from Case, as well.
In a Daily Reporter newspaper article on Wednesday, August 31, 1966, Bob was quoted as saying, "I would like to caution the young athletes to always be cognizant of the fact that education is to prepare them for earning a livelihood for the remainder of their lives and that athletics are only one minor facet in their education. Keep athletics in proper perspective and don't ever permit others to encourage you to go to college just to play sports."
Not wanting the pressure of the superintendent position at Perry any longer because he had experienced several heart attacks, he assumed the role of assistant superintendent and business manager at Hudson Local Schools. He was a member and a trustee of the Hudson Methodist Church.
On September 4, 1970, all Ohio State University All-American football players were honored at the Central Ohio Chapter of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Sports dinner in Columbus. Governor James A. Rhodes chaired the event and Bob Hope was the guest speaker.
Tragically, Bob passed away from a heart attack while jogging in Hudson Middle School at the age of 42.
He was the father of three children: Shari, Scott and Stacy and a brother to Jim and Rich. He was first and foremost a family man. He had a great sense of humor, was well-liked, and above all, was honest as well as very humble. Bob McCullough was definitely an achiever.
In 1973, The McCullough Award was instituted in his memory by the Claymont Mustang Booster Club. Chic Maurer was the first recipient. The recipient honors a member of the Twin City communities for outstanding contributions to Claymont athletics.
On Friday, August 22, 2008, Claymont Athletic Director, Jim Riley, organized the "Bob McCullough Recognition Night" at Claymont High School Stadium, which took place during halftime of the Harrison Central football game. A bronze plaque was placed on wall of the practice room in Bob's honor, special welcome banners were hung at the stadium entrances and family members received special plaques as well as floral corsages.
View Bob's Historic Articles