Felician University Alumnus Appointed as High School Athletic Director!

Baseball is in his blood – as is education and helping young people. Now, Felician University alumnus and Athletic Hall of Famer Dennis Hulse is in a position where the things he loves and finds important have perfectly come together after he was named the new Director of Athletics at St. Mary High School in Rutherford. Mr. Hulse has served as a full-time faculty member and Dean of Students at the high school since 2015. “I’m very excited to become the new AD at my alma mater and hit the ground running,” said Mr. Hulse. “With St. Mary High School being a small Catholic school there is no down time, and always work to be done.”

Mr. Hulse graduated St. Mary High School in 1999. It’s where he played quarterback in football, point guard in basketball, and shortstop in baseball. After high school he came to Felician on a baseball scholarship, playing Division II baseball. He studied history and psychology, graduating from Felician in 2004. “I loved how close knit everyone was at Felician. Everyone knew everyone, so you never felt out of place. I was welcomed with open arms into the baseball program at Felician and I’m forever grateful for that.”

He also has fond memories of his time at Felician and the faculty who helped guide him, especially history Professor Dr. Maria Vecchio. “She taught me how to always be prepared and to make myself adaptable because life can throw something crazy at you when least expected.” That was just one of the life lessons he earned at Felician that helped him throughout his nine years with the New York City Police Department. “I truly loved all my years with the NYPD,” says Mr. Hulse who added, “As a police officer I was very fair, and at St. Mary High I’ve always treated my baseball players the same. Hold them accountable when they mess up and be fair with their punishment. I will be very similar as the AD.”

Mr. Hulse was born and raised in Kearny and currently lives in southern New Jersey. The summer after he graduated from Felician he played independent professional baseball, which is baseball not affiliated with a Major League team, and had the chance to meet interesting people and players from all over the world. “The main thing I took from that experience is to not take playing baseball for granted. Sometimes the things you love doing most in life can quickly come to an end,” said Mr. Hulse. He also stressed that the Felician Franciscan values will always be with him, and that he strives to raise his daughters Brynn and Bailey with the same mind set.

Mr. Hulse says there are many different aspects to being an AD. “It’s much more than wins and losses. But I will say, I’m the biggest sore loser out there. I think that’s why I’ve always been successful in all the sports I’ve played and coached. I hated losing more than I liked winning. I expect all my coaches to strive to be the number one team in the state no matter what the sport they are coaching.

One thing is for certain, with Falcon Dennis Hulse as their new Athletic Director, St. Mary High School and its students are the big winners!