Community Corner

Letter: Milford is Losing a Great Football Coach

In a letter to Milford Patch, a former player supports keeping Tom Cullen as head football coach.

Editor's Note: the following letter was submitted by Nicholas DiAntonio, a graduate of Milford High School and valedictorian of his class at Assumption College. which will be broadened beyond internal applicants for the first time in years. DiAntonio played football under Coach Tom Cullen for four years, and is now pursuing a master's degree in education at Boston College. 

The events that have transpired at Milford regarding Tom Cullen’s situation as head football coach are extremely unfortunate because the town, and, more importantly, the student-athletes, are losing an incredible leader and mentor. I have never seen any other coach at the high school or college level invest the same amount of time and effort preparing young men for success on and off the gridiron.

As a four-year varsity letter winner at Assumption College, I feel that I am qualified to make such an assertion. Coach Cullen epitomizes what is right with contemporary sports because he values the ideals that such engagements teach. Wins and losses aside, football is meant to prepare young men for life; Tom Cullen has done that throughout his time as coach. It is a true shame that his guidance will no longer have the opportunity to resonate within the minds of future generations.

Find out what's happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Additionally, I see it as a true injustice that this decision is inherently political and undoubtedly related to the incident that took place approximately one year ago. As a town rooted in political alliances, once a person is targeted for upsetting the status quo, he or she is fighting an uphill battle. Regardless of his unblemished rapport with players, these political schemes care only about satisfying personal vendettas.

I wish the town luck attempting to find a replacement capable of matching Coach Cullen’s abilities on and off the field.

Find out what's happening in Milfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Respectfully,

Nicholas I. DiAntonio


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here