McCullough's final lesson at South
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Julie A. McCullough will retire this month after 37 years of teaching at Williamsville South High School. She was also a successful coach earlier in her career at the school.

No matter how many sectional championships the Williamsville South High School girl's basketball team wins, the first will always be to the credit of Julie A. McCullough.

Her coaching skills led the 1976 girl's basketball team to sectional victory, the first held in Western New York.

"It was the biggest thrill," she said.

That is just one of many memories she will take with her when she retires at the end of the school year, after 37 years of teaching at South.

"Every day is going to be Saturday; I am going to enjoy myself, life and my children," she said with a smile that many have come to know.

Hired in 1970, she has been a health and physical education teacher, as well as the field hockey (1970-80) and basketball (1970-77) coach.

After being named the first coach to win a girl's sectional game, McCullough led the team to a consecutive victory following an undefeated season in 1977.

She said during her tenure her teams took many championships at various levels of play.

An athlete in high school, Mc- Cullough said she loved coaching. And although it has been two decades since she led a team, her effect on her players remains. She is expecting former players from around the country to attend her upcoming retirement dinner.

She said, laughing, that many of them recall, "You yelled at me."

One of those players has gone on to fill McCullough's shoes. Mary Ferenczy, a former player, is the current field hockey coach at South.

"She was a fabulous coach. She was always positive and enthusiastic," Ferenczy said. "Winning was important, but the lessons learned on that team are irreplaceable."

Ferenczy has been the South field hockey coach since 1988 and also teaches physical education.

From being a student of McCullough's to now a colleague, Ferenczy relates to the lessons she has learned during the almost 30 years she has known McCullough.

"She is very knowledgeable; a local expert on health and wellness," she said. "She, along with my older sister, definitely helped shape my future."

When not on the field or court, McCullough was in the classroom, teaching health. She said she is leaving at a very difficult time.

"I absolutely love teaching. The last five years the students have been magnificent, making it hard to leave," she said. "These seniors now are wonderful."

The path toward becoming a health teacher was paved for Mc- Cullough. She said she always wanted to be a teacher and enjoyed medicine. Unable to afford medical school, she chose education.

As a health education teacher, she put the needs of students first, pushing for changes in curriculum. She said she introduced the unit on sexuality to the school.

"Health education changes all the time. There is something new every year to teach," she said. "I want them to learn to live a wellness lifestyle."

But after 30 years her main goal never changed - she said in the beginning of the course she tells the class she hopes they appreciate their health more at the end of 20 weeks.

She used her knowledge of health and wellness on the field. McCullough was the first field hockey coach to require mouthguards.

"I saw a girl get severely injured," she said about making them a requirement. "Now it's a rule in the game."

She remembers the world of girl's high school sports being an upward struggle when she was a coach. League play hadn't been created for girls, but eventually they were granted equality status with the boy's teams.

"Williamsville was always supportive, an advocate for sports in general," she said.

Her final year as a teacher will finish on June 23, when the seniors she will so greatly miss walk across the stage in the commencement ceremony. Her official last day is July 1.

Two years prior to joining Williamsville South she taught at Cheektowaga.

While she looks forward to retirement, her commitment to education will not be over. McCullough is a member of the Clarence Central School District Board of Education.

During her term, she has held the title as the only active Williamsville teacher to also serve on a school board.

"The two complement each other. I see both sides of education," she said.

In addition to a coach, a public servant and a teacher, McCullough is also a parent - which she is most proud of. She has two children, Elizabeth, 22, and Jon, 26.

A retirement party will be held on Tuesday, June 19. Call Ferenczy at 626-8229 for information.

Ferenczy said that McCullough will be missed by everyone at South.

"She is a unique individual with wit and charm. She truly is one in a million," she said.