In 1953, Tom Bullen wore his varsity sweater with pride. He had excelled in four different sports, and even though he didn’t know it at the time, he had earned a record 15 varsity letters.
Over 50 years later, Bullen’s record still stands and he decided to donate his sweater to the Clarkston school district. Bullen’s sweater will become part of the past section in a ‘past, present and future? display at the Clarkston Schools Administration Building.
Bullen said he hopes the sweater helps inspire people because not only did he earn 15 varsity letters, he also graduated fifth in his class.
‘There is a lot of practice hours in athletics and a lot of hours in academics,? Bullen said. ‘If you want to excel you have to be motivated. The sweater I hope shows people you can excel in both athletics and academics.?
According to Bullen’s research his 15 letters broke the record held by Ralph Yost and Howard Boyns, who both earned 14 letters in the late 1930s.
Bullen did it by earning varsity letters his freshman year in track, baseball and football. The next three years, he earned varsity letters in all three sports and in basketball giving him a total of 15.
During his senior year, Bullen won a state title in the shot put, took second place in the quarter mile and helped Clarkston win its first district title in basketball.
Bullen said his long-time friend Mel Vaara told him the 15 varsity letters might be a record and then persuaded him to donate the sweater to the school district.
‘I just felt after visiting with Tom that 15 varsity letters should be recognized. I’m just happy to be a part of this nice gesture,? Vaara said. ‘I don’t think it will ever be duplicated. I probably shouldn’t say never, but it would be awful difficult.?
Bullen credited his parents for helping him excel in athletics; and when he donated the sweater to the Clarkston Board of Education on April 10, he dedicated the memorabilia to the parents of all the Clarkston athletes.
‘I was fortunate to have parents, who encouraged me,? Bullen said. ‘When I dedicated the sweater, I dedicated it to the parents who have to support the athletes. There is a lot of practice hours for the few hours of actual game time. The parents have to be behind the kids.?
After graduating from Clarkston in 1953, Bullen went to the University of Michigan, where he played football for two years and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He became a CPA and then later earned his law degree and practiced law for 15 years before he retired.
Bullen’s sons Ben and John both earned varsity letters from Clarkston and 11 of his 14 grandchildren are in the Clarkston School District.