Introduction for Mike Mulvihill at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 15, 2025

Our next inductee is Mike Mulvihill, graduate of the class of 1969, and another member of the State Championship Football Team. 

Mike is one of seven Mulvihill’s who attended St. Pius, and all of them were excellent athletes. Four of his brothers played football at St. Pius and all, including Mike went on to play in college.

At Pius Mike started on defense his senior year, but after a tough start, Coach Maloof made major shake ups to the lineup, including moving Mike from defense to offense as fullback. Mike was a tenacious blocker, probably the toughest guy pound-for-pound on the football field. He would block for the running backs like no one most had seen... the other side's defensive players were bowling pins that Mike would knock down to clear the way for the running backs. And when needed, he’d take the ball for the tough yardage up the middle. Coach Maloof was quoted in the AJC before the State Championship game that Mike Mulvihill was as good of a blocker as he had ever coached. At the awards dinner Mike received the Best Blocker Award.

Mike was the chant leader on the bus rides to and from the away football games. He would lead by chanting out a chant verse, and the rest of team would chant loudly the second half of the verse. Both coaches and players loved it! Mike was also well-known in the school for his sense of humor, and his classmates spent many a class period laughing to tears.

After St. Pius, Mike attended Middle Tennessee State University on a football scholarship. He was joined his sophomore year by Joe Pelt, who shared this story:

Mike was captain of the kickoff team. He was the designated wedge buster because of his fearless attitude of running into the wedge of blockers...like a bowling ball hitting the first pin at high speed. Though effective Mike told me that he didn't consider his effort complete unless he went into the wedge straight up and got the ball carrier too. Believing this to be true he tried to break the wedge by running through it straight up. He was carried off the field with the wind totally knocked out of him. When he was finally able to speak, he said he thought he got the poop knocked out of him. At halftime the truth became known. Mike returned to the field and played in the second half but with a new set of underwear. This story became legend and has been retold many times in Murfreesboro.

Mike had a wonderful career as the President of the family business - 'Jim Mulvihill Tours', where he traveled all over the world.

He has been active in his church as youth group leader for many years. He also coached Little League baseball.

We are honored to induct Mike into the Hall of Fame.