Selah Yearbook 1991-92

Mick Keeps Up the British End

By Carolyn Van der Veen If you ask an Englishman to explain the rules of football, he'll probably begin telling you about a black and white ball that is kicked into a net. Soccer.

Soccer, as w e k n o w it, is called football in all other countries outside of North America. But it is American football that makes Michael Mulcuck so unusual.

Michael (Mick) is the only player on the Liberty football team w h o learned h o w to play American football in England. H e was born in Shropshire, England, where he began playing at 18. H e became involved in football after he saw a poster at a local shop that was looking for players.

Mick doesn't fit into the usual image of what an Englishman looks like. At 6'6" and 270 lbs. he looks more like the average American football player. But it's Mick's distinct accent that gives away his English heritage.

Mick planned to stay in England and play football after he w a s recruited to play in the International League of American Football. W h e n the league collapsed, Coach George Brincato offered him a football scholarship at the University College of Cape Breton in Canada.

W h e n the football program in Canada was cancelled after one year, Mick had several offers to stay in North America to continue playing.

Dr. Albrecht, his coach, arranged for him to visit a number of colleges. H e w a s offered a full football scholarship to Southern Methodist University in Texas, which is a Division 1-A school, but it was Liberty that attracted him. " S M U is a completely different school from Liberty, but I didn't want to get on the wrong track. So far, I'm Photo by Carolyn Van der Veen happy with m y choice," Mick said. of playing time, which is unusual for a first year player.

Football is becoming more popular in England. It " W h e n I first got here I didn't believe that I was such wasn't through Liberty that Mick heard of Coach a bad football player, but they totally demolished m y Rutigliano. technique. I had to start back at square one," Mick "I used to watch Coach Rutigliano on the tele (TV) explained. coaching the Browns w h e n I w a s back h o m e in Like m a n y other football players, Mick hopes to play England, so it w a s a big thing to be coached by him," professionally in the N F L one day.

Mick said.

"I started college a little late, at 23, so I need to work Mick has done well on the team and saw quite a bit hard in order to give myself a chance at m y dream," Mick said.

Fitting into life at Liberty wasn't that difficult for Mick. H e has found dorm life to be different. After dealing with roommates, Bryant and Eric, he feels that he can take on anything.

Like m a n y athletes, Mick is very grateful for his family and the help they have given him. " M y family is very close. Without the help of m y parents and brother Andrew, m y being in America would not be possible," Mick said.

Mick is looking forward to completing his education at Liberty and hopes to improve on his football techniques.