Bucknell University Athletics
A Leader in Orange and Blue
9/10/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 10, 2008
By Matt Saylor, Bucknell Athletic Communications
One of the constants for the Bison football team over the past three seasons has been Kevin Mullen. The senior fullback has played in 31 of the team's 33 games through his junior campaign, starting eight, contributing both out of the backfield, where he has accumulated 542 career rushing yards, and on special teams.
There have been some games where he has been more involved, like his 27-carry, 110-yard, one-touchdown performance against Georgetown in 2006. For that he received the first of his two career Lewisburg Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Week awards. And there have been games where Mullen has been an afterthought in terms of statistical offensive production. Even in those games, Mullen's presence can be felt, as a blocker or on the multitude of special teams units he plays for each year.
His biggest contribution has been as a team leader, setting an example for his teammates with a positive attitude and a tireless work ethic, something that has not been easy to maintain as the Bison have struggled with many injuries and tough games over the past three seasons. Mullen, though, expects positive things for Bucknell football this year, and in the future.
Mullen, who was selected as a team captain for the season-opening Duquesne game, is excited by an offense he describes as “much better than it has ever been” and that is “going to be exciting to watch what we're doing.” Combining the offense, now under the direction of new offensive coordinator Harold Nichols, with what Mullen says is a “veteran” defense, the 2008 season is assured to be a much-improved one.
“The attitude of the team is much different than I've seen in my previous three years,” the Export, Pa., native mentions. “Guys are doing the right things, going the extra mile, and that is the most important thing for the team.”
One example of the team's commitment to win is the 50+ team members who spent part of their summer in Lewisburg training with Bucknell's talented strength and conditioning staff.
In addition to football, Mullen is a double major in international relations and religion and is an active member of Bucknell's Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program. He has won the football team's ROTC Leadership Award each of the past three years and sees himself involved in military life for years to come.
“I've always wanted to serve my country and give back,” Mullen says. “Being involved with the military is something that I have prayed about for a long time, and I like the options that it provides me,” he cites while describing an intense interest in having a platoon of his own to command or joining the FBI.
Mullen is not exactly sure where he will land following graduation next May, but says with conviction, “Wherever [the military] sends me, that is where I will go.”
Striking the balance between football, academic commitments and ROTC has not always been easy, but Mullen still believes all of the hard work is worth it.
“ROTC has been great to me during football season, and my coaches have been good to me with my ROTC commitments,” the youngest of three siblings praises. “I had support both ways.
“Being involved in these different programs has allowed me to learn persistence and time management, which are key elements I will need in the future.”
In 2006, Mullen missed the only two games of his career due to a crushing leg injury. He needed surgery to repair the injury that caused him to lose feeling in his leg. During this time, Mullen leaned on his parents, James and Kathleen, who were instrumental in helping him reach his goals and stood by him through the trying times.
“It was scary,” the powerful fullback recalls. “Fortunately, the surgery went well, and I was able to play football again, but I was just glad that the damage was able to be repaired so I could at least keep walking.”
Mullen returned to the field his junior year, carrying the ball 47 times for 139 yards, a drop off from his 79 carries for 294 yards he had the year before. As the most experienced fullback on this year's roster, his workload is more than likely to increase again.
Mullen's journey has been filled with numerous challenges, and as his senior year commences, he knows what kind of legacy he would like to leave at Bucknell and on the football program.
“This year's senior class has to set the bar higher and higher each time on the field,” Mullen mentions with passion. “I want to leave the program with a bar that is a lot higher for next year's class.”
How will he accomplish that?
“I just have to go out there each day and get the most out of what God gave me,” Mullen explains.
So far, he has done exactly that, already setting the bar high.
