Former Almanac AOTY still succeeding
Hull dispenses advice as jersey number retired
Canon-McMillan High School athletic director Frank Vulcano presents Michael Hull with a framed jersey after his football number was officially retired. After excelling in four sports for the Big Macs, Hull went on to excel in football at Penn State University. He played five seasons in the NFL as a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins.
At age 33, Michael Hull has entered a new phase in life.
While he remains passionate about sports, he no longer is the standout performer that garnered Almanac Male Athlete of the Year honors in 2010 and went on to play five seasons in the NFL. Instead, he is a spectator with more important responsibilities in life.
“Honestly,” he said of his hope for the future, “I want to be the best father to my kids and best husband to my wife. I want to raise a great family.”
In Nashville, Hull is doing exactly that. He works as a real estate investment firm to provide a living for his clan, which consists of his wife, Kelsey, and their two children, Matthew, 3, and Tatum, 1.
“Raising two little athletes,” he said with a laugh. “Hopefully, my kids want to play sports one day. If not, I hope that they are passionate about something like I was about sports.”
While he attended Canon-McMillan High School, Hull certainly approached athletics with zeal. In fact, he was a four-sport athlete for the Big Macs.
As a junior, he led the WPIAL in rushing with over 1,300 yards. Though ravaged with injuries and illness his senior season, he still managed to record 97 tackles and earn acclaim from multiple news outlets. He also played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, in which was picked as the game’s MVP. Plus, he was selected to play in the prestigious Big 33 Classic.
A three-year letter winner in baseball, Hull helped the Big Macs win a state championship in 2008. He also competed in track, posting a personal-best time of 11.56 seconds in the 100-meter dash to medal at the PIAA championships. He also threw the shot put, notching a top throw of 42-2 at the 2010 Dick Dei Track Classic.
Hull also excelled in wrestling. Despite having a separated shoulder from the football season, Hull clinched the WPIAL team title for the Big Macs with a victory in the final bout of the 2010 Class 3A finals.
Hull went on to play football at Penn State University, where his father, Tom, and uncle, John, competed. As a Nittany Lion, he earned Big Ten Linebacker of the Year laurels and first-team All-Big Ten accolades.
In 2015, Hull was signed by the Miami Dolphins. He played five seasons in the NFL as a middle linebacker before a knee injury ultimately ended his career. He was released on March 18, 2020.
While he has received numerous honors and accolades, Hull recently experienced one of the most touching moments in his athletic career when he was invited back to his alma mater to have his high school football jersey retired. The ceremony occurred prior to kickoff of the Upper St. Clair versus Canon-McMillan football game played Aug. 30 at Canonsburg Memorial Stadium.
“It’s an awesome experience. Great,” said an emotional Hull. “A lot of people helped make this happen over the years and it was good to see so many of the guys. They have meant so much to me.
“My whole career, probably the people that I have met and shared a locker room with, have provided for me the highlight in my career,” Hull continued. “Those experiences and memories I will have forever.”
Hull said coaches like Guy Montecalvo instilled in him a strong work ethic that guided him to success in both athletics and academics. Not shying away from the difficult task also propels him in everyday life.
“I had really good coaches and was surrounded by down-to-earth people. They instilled in me a love and appreciation for hard work. I was able to take that with me for the rest of my career and I was able to accomplish everything that I wanted to.”
Anybody can be like Mike, says Hull, if they adhere to the tenets that motivated him.
“Find something that you are passionate about and work hard as hard at that thing so you can be successful. That’s what it’s all about in life. Doesn’t matter if it’s education, music or athletics. If you are passionate about it, then pour everything into it, and you will find success,” he assured.