"The word "can’t" should not be in your vocabulary." -Coach McCullough

Coach McCullough loves children and enjoys observing them grow up. She has attended numerous weddings, graduation parties and other celebratory events of her former swimmers with great pleasure. Coach McCullough strongly believes that "doing your best is more important than being the best."

As a graduate from Michigan State University with a degree in elementary education, she has been teaching and guiding youth since 1964. She taught three years – two in Moreland Hills, OH (Orange Local School District near Cleveland) and one year in Okinawa for the Department of Defense.

She remembers her first race (second place) at Geauga Lake in northern Ohio but probably making a national team is her best memory. The most bittersweet moment comes when she just missed the Olympic team in 1960.

Coach McCullough was All-America in 1957, and excelled at 100 yard backstroke for AAU Swimming (now USA Swimming). As a member of the 1959 Pan American Swim Team, she took third in the 100 meter backstroke at the games in Chicago. Coach McCullough held the American Record for 100 meter backstroke for a short period of time. In addition, she has held national age group and masters swimming records.

Coach McCullough has served as a recognized member of ASCA, American Swim Coaches Association, In addition, she has also served as President of the Greater Cincinnati Chapter Wild Ones, a native plant advocacy group; board member of the OIPC, Ohio Invasive Plants Council; board member of the GCMGA, Greater Cincinnati Master Gardener Association. Her passion for teaching youth also led her to being an Origami teacher for PAGE, Parent Association for Gifted Education.

She has been coaching swimmers at Beckett Ridge since 1978. Other coaching experiences include the Eastgate Garland Gators in Garland, Texas, and the Lakota High School swim team for 10 years ’89 to ’99. Coach McCullough started the swim team in 1978 with the help of Ginger Hemsworth and established the Tri-County Swim League in 1979 with the assistance of Claudia Multer of Hamilton.

The groups mentioned above keep Coach McCullough busy during the off season. This past winter she developed numerous power point presentations about native plants, removing invasive honeysuckle, butterfly and bird gardening. She has given 10 or so presentations this winter for various groups – garden clubs, master gardeners, and homeowners. Hobbies include extensive gardening knitting and sewing.

She is married to Gordon McCullough for 40 years and has two children, Patrick and Shannon (who swim on the BRST) and three grandchildren, Ryan (almost 9), Kyra (6), and Anya (3 ½). She also has two dogs….Cinco --a 110 lb. monster, and Gretta.