Mike Sullivan '79

Michael Sullivan began playing soccer at Lighthouse Boys Club at Front St. & Erie Ave before attending North Catholic. Sullivan was from a large family and his older brothers Larry, Joe and Dennis had preceded him as soccer stars for the Falcons. As the youngest of the boys Mike had some big shoes to fill but according to many who watched Philadelphia High School Soccer in the 60s and 70s he may have been one of the best players to ever wear the Red & white uniform for North Catholic.

Sullivan was a three year varsity player at North. He was also a member of the 1977 & 78 PCL and City Champions. As a junior he was part of a team that defeated St Joe’s Prep by a score of 10-2 win the PCL title. In that game Sullivan scored a goal and set up several more. The ’77 team also beat Abraham Lincoln High 1-0 for the City title. In 1978 The Falcons would again win PCL & City titles. First they beat Archbishop Carroll 3-0 to win PCL honors. The ’78 Falcons then went on to beat Washington High 1-0 to win the City Title match.

Sullivan was named an All-Catholic selection in both his junior and senior seasons. “Simey” as he was called by teammates was also named a 1^st team All-City & a 1^st team All-State selection in his senior year. After the 1978 season Sullivan was also one of the very few Falcons to ever be named 1^st team NSCAA High School All-American.

Mike would go on to play College soccer at Drexel University. Currently Sullivan coaches youth soccer in Northeast Philadelphia.