Name: Father Ronald Cullen
Induction year: 1996
Born (date, year, place): October 19, 1915 in Toronto, Ontario
Died: July 8, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario
Primary Position: Builder
After landing a position at Windsor’s Assumption High School in 1948, Father Ronald Cullen dedicated over 50 years of service to the city. With an approach emphasizing discipline, the iconic sports figure inspired thousands of young football, hockey and baseball players during his venerable coaching career.
The Windsor sports legend was the bench boss of 13 high school hockey teams that advanced to the All-Ontario championships and helped spur Marc Reaume, Mike Eaves, Murray Eaves and Ed Mio to NHL careers. One of the best amateur baseball coaches in Canadian history, Cullen’s teams almost always vied for city, provincial and national titles.
In 1950, he began coaching in Windsor’s renowned Mic Mac League. He started working with midget-aged players in 1971 and helped hone the skills of several players that would become provincial and national stars. Big leaguers Reno Bertoia, Joe Siddall, Stubby Clapp and John Upham are among his prized graduates. Father Cullen was inducted into the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame in 1982.
