Cape Residents Remember Coach Bullock

The world of Cape St. Claire youth sports has been rocked this weekend with the death of one of its coaches.

Coach Mike Bullock, a personal trainer out of Edgewater Fitness who was also a coach for the U.S. Navy Women’s Rugby team and former coach at St. Mary’s High School, was killed on Route 50 West at Cape St. Claire Road on Saturday. 

More than 50 people attended an impromptu vigil in his memory last night near the Cape St. Claire Methodist Church. 

Mike Sutphin, Cape Football Commissioner and friend of Bullock’s, made a statement on the group’s Facebook page this morning: “We lost a very good friend and member of our football family. Mike touched so many lives on and off the football field it's hard to imagine the Cape program without him on the sidelines. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.” 

Bonnie Wilson, former commisioner for the Cape St. Claire Recreation Council, said Bullock touched the lives of a lot of kids in the area. “He was a good man; he will be missed."

Terry Falter, now 19 years old, started playing football at age nine for “Coach Mike” for years.

"He taught us how to be a man. He was like a father figure or mentor. He taught us how to be better people. It was more than just coaching football for him,” said Falter.

Jeremy Treakle, now 18 years old, also played football for Coach Bullock for nearly a decade.

“He's a good family friend. I wouldn't be the man I am today if he wasn't in my life,” said Treakle.

Ronnie Van Meter, now out of high school, had Bullock for a football coach in middle school. "He's a great guy; he drove us to do our best,” Van Meter said. “I can't believe he's actually gone."

Sutphin said that many people are finding it hard to believe.

“He was always smiling, always willing to go the extra mile, to give help to anyone who needed anything,” said Sutphin.

There will be a memorial celebration of Bullock’s life at Bay Head Park this Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.

Though the Cape football program has suffered a huge loss, Sutphin said that the football clinic, starting on June 23 that Bullock was heavily involved in, will go on as planned.

“We have two high school football players who learned from Coach Bullock who will be taking on leadership roles in memory of their coach,” said Sutphin. "Seniors Va’a Niamatalolo and Nick Ochoa will be taking a more active role."

“That is something I know he would have wanted,” said Sutphin. 

Editor's Note:  It has been confirmed that a bank account has been set up at the Cape St. Claire branch of BankAnnapolis for donations to the Bullock family. The name of the account is the Mike Bullock Memorial Fund. Donations can be made at BankAnnapolis, Cape St. Claire Shopping Center 1372-B, Cape St. Claire Road, Annapolis, MD 21409.