2016 Inductee Jim Culler, 1963
A 1963 graduate of Bellevue High School, Jim Culler earned nine varsity letters for the red and white, including two in football, three in basketball, and four in track and field.
Jim played hoops for the Redmen from 1961-63 and was captain of the ’63 squad. He was third on the team in scoring his senior year with 111 points.
In track, Jim earned four letters while running on various relay teams and during his career had the opportunity to run at the Mansfield Relays, one of the more prestigious meets in the country during the 1960s and 1970s.
Jim excelled at football, starting at quarterback both his junior and senior seasons in ’61 and ’62, with both teams going undefeated (18-0). As a senior, he ran for four touchdowns and threw for another four, and also ran or threw for eight extra point conversions.
During the 1962 season, Jim was named honorable mention All-Northern Ohio League and honorable mention All-Ohio quarterback.
He then took his football talents to the University of Findlay. He was one of the first college quarterbacks to call and/or change plays at the line of scrimmage. He earned four varsity letters, starting every game from midway through his freshman season to his senior year. He quarterbacked the team to the NAIA national playoffs during his sophomore season.
Following college, Jim taught high school in Republic from 1968-70. He then taught at Lima Central Catholic from 1970-74. He was an assistant football coach and head golf coach while at Lima Central Catholic. Jim also worked at NW Railroad for 6 years, while also teaching and retiring from Vanguard Vocational Center in 2007. Jim also continues to appraise real estate, which he has done for the past 33 years.
Today, Jim resides in Vermilion, Ohio with his wife Sue. Together they enjoy spending time with their children Troy Miller and Missy & Eric Jhirad, as well as their two grandchildren.
Jim played hoops for the Redmen from 1961-63 and was captain of the ’63 squad. He was third on the team in scoring his senior year with 111 points.
In track, Jim earned four letters while running on various relay teams and during his career had the opportunity to run at the Mansfield Relays, one of the more prestigious meets in the country during the 1960s and 1970s.
Jim excelled at football, starting at quarterback both his junior and senior seasons in ’61 and ’62, with both teams going undefeated (18-0). As a senior, he ran for four touchdowns and threw for another four, and also ran or threw for eight extra point conversions.
During the 1962 season, Jim was named honorable mention All-Northern Ohio League and honorable mention All-Ohio quarterback.
He then took his football talents to the University of Findlay. He was one of the first college quarterbacks to call and/or change plays at the line of scrimmage. He earned four varsity letters, starting every game from midway through his freshman season to his senior year. He quarterbacked the team to the NAIA national playoffs during his sophomore season.
Following college, Jim taught high school in Republic from 1968-70. He then taught at Lima Central Catholic from 1970-74. He was an assistant football coach and head golf coach while at Lima Central Catholic. Jim also worked at NW Railroad for 6 years, while also teaching and retiring from Vanguard Vocational Center in 2007. Jim also continues to appraise real estate, which he has done for the past 33 years.
Today, Jim resides in Vermilion, Ohio with his wife Sue. Together they enjoy spending time with their children Troy Miller and Missy & Eric Jhirad, as well as their two grandchildren.
Dennis Sabo introduces 1953 graduate Jim Culler.