A two-time All-NSIC performer and the first All-American in Concordia's NCAA Division II program history, Mike Cullen is one of the most accomplished throwers ever to compete for Golden Bear track & field.
The Green Bay, Wisconsin native was recruited to Concordia as a defensive lineman in the football program, spending three years with the football team including a redshirt season in his first year on campus. But it was track & field where he made an immediate impact in his first season in the navy and gold, breaking the school record in the indoor shot put with a mark of 14.65 meters in his very first collegiate meet in 2011.
Cullen continued to improve in each season after missing the 2012 campaign due to an injury which ultimately led to the end of his football career, but didn't stop him from improving his school record in the indoor shot put to 15.10 meters in 2013 and 15.93 meters in 2014.
After honing his craft in the prior four seasons, Cullen capped off his career on a high note in 2015 when he captured the NSIC title and All-NSIC Honors in the indoor shot put with a new school record toss of 17.03 meters. He would go on to became the first USTFCCCA All-American in program history with an 11th-place finish in the shot put at the NCAA Indoor Championships, earning second team honors. He also earned All-NSIC honors in the outdoor shot put with a third-place finish at the conference championships.
Across his four seasons of competition, Cullen scored at the conference meet in five of his eight opportunities.
After earning his bachelor's degree in criminal justice and communication from Concordia in 2015, Cullen began working for the Eau Claire Police Department in Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 2016. In that role, he has had the opportunity to be a part of several specialties including the Tactical Response Team, Crisis Intervention Team, Force Options Team, Peer Support and Less Lethal. In 2025, he was promoted to the title of sergeant. He has also served as a school resource officer, track and field coach, and football coach at Eau Claire North High School. Michael is engaged to his fiancé, Mariah, and is set to get married in May of 2026.
Career Awards
- 2015 USTFCCCA Second Team All-America
- 2015 USTFCCCA All-Region in the indoor shot put
- 2015 NSIC Champion in the indoor shot put
- 2015 All-NSIC in the indoor shot put
- 2015 All-NSIC in the outdoor shot put
- NSIC Field Athlete of the Week (2/24/15)
CSP Records
- 1st - indoor shot put (17.03m, 55' 10.5")
- 1st - outdoor shot put (at time of graduation) (16.06m)
Career Personal Bests
- Indoor shot put - 17.03 meters (current CSP record)
- Weight throw - 16.79 meters
- Outdoor shot put - 16.06 meters (CSP record at time of graduation)
- Discus - 42.84 meters
- Hammer throw - 48.51 meters
- Javelin - 47.13 meters
