Carl F. Ullrich

Carl Farnum Ullrich (June 23, 1928 - May 9, 2023) was a former American college rowing coach and athletics administrator who served as the first civilian athletic director at the United States Military Academy, from 1980 to 1990.[1]

Carl F. Ullrich
Carl Ullrich
Ullrich from 1971 Lucky Bag
Biographical details
Born(1928-06-23)June 23, 1928
Ridgewood, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedMay 9, 2023(2023-05-09) (aged 94)
Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
Alma materCornell University
Playing career
1947–1950Cornell (lightweight)
Position(s)Bow
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1955–1959Cornell (freshmen)
1960–1965Columbia
1967Boston University
1968–1974Navy
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1975–1978Navy (assistant AD)
1979Western Michigan
1980–1990Army
1989–1993Patriot League (ex. dir.)
1995–1997St. Andrews Presbyterian
2002–2004St. Andrews Presbyterian
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Eastern Sprints (1971)
Awards
Army Sports Hall of Fame (2007)

Early life and education

Ullrich was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey in 1928 and grew up on Long Island, New York. He attended Cornell University, where he received a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree in 1950. While at Cornell, he joined Sigma Chi fraternity and was a member of the 1949 national champion lightweight crew team,[2] serving as captain in 1950.[3] He also was a member of the Quill and Dagger society. After graduation he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, and served as an infantry officer during the Korean War.[4]

Coaching career

Ullrich returned to Cornell as the freshman crew coach in 1955,[5] before taking over the varsity team at Columbia University in 1960.[6][7] After a stint as head coach at Boston University, Ullrich took over the boathouse at the United States Naval Academy in 1968,[8] where he served as head coach and assistant athletic director for over a decade.[9]

Administrative career

Ullrich arrived at West Point in 1980, making his mark on the Army football program two years later with the hiring of head coach Jim Young.[10] Under Young's wishbone system, the Black Knights returned to relevance, turning in six winning seasons, capturing the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy three times, and reaching the first three bowls in Army football history.[11] During this time Ullrich served as President of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and on the executive committee of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

From his post at West Point, Ullrich transitioned to become the first Executive Director of the Patriot League.[12] Under his leadership the conference expanded its offerings from football to a full slate of 22 intercollegiate sports. After retiring to North Carolina, he served two separate stints as athletic director for St. Andrews Presbyterian College.

Awards and honors

Ullrich has been inducted into the athletic Hall of Fame for West Point,[13] St. Andrews Presbyterian College,[14] Eastern College Athletic Conference[15] and National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics,[16] respectively, honored as a "Significant Sig" by Sigma Chi fraternity,[17] and received the ECAC's James Lynah Award for distinguished achievement.[18]

References
  1. "Carl Ullrich Biography". Army Athletics. Archived from the original on 2014-12-09. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  2. Katz, Lina (19 August 1999). "CU's '49 crew champions take a trip to Henley – 50 years later". Cornell Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2008-08-30.
  3. "All-Time Lightweight Captains" (PDF). Cornell University Athletics.
  4. First Battalion Seventh Marines-Korea Roster Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Edelstein, Art (27 September 1955). "Meet the Coach". Cornell Daily Sun.
  6. "Ullrich to Handle Lion Crew; Schlaepfer Takes Frosh Post". Cornell Daily Sun. 19 September 1960.
  7. Brody, Tom (3 June 1963). "The Laughing Lion Has Finally Begun To Roar". Sports Illustrated.
  8. Whall, Hugh (21 June 1971). "Anchors Aweigh For The IRA". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 12 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. Representative Sestak (PA) (18 September 2007). "Honoring Mr. Carl Ullrich". Congressional Record.
  10. "Army Picks Coach". New York Times. Associated Press. 31 December 1982.
  11. "A Peach of a Season". Army Athletics. Archived from the original on 2012-04-22. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  12. "Patriot League History". Patriot League. Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  13. "Former Athletic Director Among Hall Of Fame Inductees". Army Athletics. Archived from the original on 2012-04-22. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  14. "Ullrich inducted into SAPC Hall of Fame". The Laurenberg Exchange. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25.
  15. "ECAC Welcomes Class of 2016 to Hall of Fame". ECAC Sports. Retrieved 2017-05-24.
  16. "NACDA All-Time Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
  17. "Significant Sigs by Letter (Archive)". Archived from the original on June 14, 2009.
  18. "James Lynah Award for Distinguished Achievement - Previous Recipients". Archived from the original on 2009-03-13. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
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