A football life; Cullen to be honored for three decades of dedication.

PositionSports

The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston made the perfect choice for this year's winner of the John Baronian Award, which recognizes lifetime contributions to New England football.

Brien Cullen has happily dedicated most of his life to Worcester State football, and over the last three decades has coached, mentored, tutored and nurtured hundreds of players who have gone through the program.

"You can tell he lives for the sport of football, and our team is like a family to him,'' senior tight end Casey Hippert of Douglas said. "He's kind of like the mayor around Worcester State. He knows everyone, he talks to everyone, and it really is something special to see what he's done at the university.''

Cullen will receive his award Thursday night at the annual Gridiron Club of Greater Boston banquet at the Marriott Hotel in Burlington. Since 1997, the Gridiron Club has presented this prestigious award, named in memory of John Baronian, a Worcester native and longtime supporter of Tufts athletics, who passed away in 2008.

Former Holy Cross coach Dan Allen and former Boston College coach Jack Bicknell are among the past recipients.

The 60-year-old Cullen, the only varsity coach Worcester State has ever had, recently completed his 31st season with the Lancers. Worcester State finished 7-3 and was in contention for the MASCAC title.

"People say, 'How much longer?' and things like that,'' Cullen said, "but this season really invigorated me. The guys keep you young. They get the juices going.''

Cullen, who grew up in Milford, graduated from Worcester State in 1977 and played four years of club football for coach Jim Girouard. After coaching high school football for six years, Cullen returned to his alma mater and took over as Lancers coach in 1983. The team won the 1984 national club championship, and Cullen saw the program through to varsity status in 1985.

Former Worcester State dean of students Paul Joseph, a founding member of the club team in 1969, was a driving force in elevating Worcester State to NCAA Division 3, where the Lancers had immediate success. They went 5-0 their first year.

Worcester State won three straight New England Football Conference titles from 1995-97, and the Lancers have won or shared the MASCAC title seven times. Worcester State has made six ECAC playoff appearances.

Cullen is a four-time NEFC Coach of the Year. In 1996, he was named Division 2-3 Coach of the Year by the New England Football Writers Association.

The Lancers have...

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