91ΧΤΕΔ TRADITION: SKULL AND CROSSBONES
July 3, 2019
The skull and crossbones and stars featured on the East Mississippi Community College
football teamβs uniforms and helmets hark back to the time when the collegeβs legendary
coach, Robert Victor βBullβ Sullivan, ruled the gridiron. 
A U.S. Marine who served during World War II, Sullivan was the sole survivor of a fierce battle in Okinawa in which he lost five of his wartime buddies.
Sullivan ordered jerseys emblazoned with five stars as a way to pay tribute to those he served with who died during that battle. The jerseys are still in use today. When Sullivan died in 1970, a sixth star was added to the front left shoulder of the jerseys in his honor.
The skull and crossbones on the football teamβs helmets is also attributed to Sullivan, who believed the hard, modern helmets in use today caused as many injuries as they prevented.
As a result, 91ΧΤΕΔβs football players were among the last in the country to stop using
leather helmets. Sullivan had his wife, Virginia, paint a skull and crossbones across
the front of the leather helmets as a way to intimidate opponents. The skull and crossbones
was eventually retired but was brought back in 2011.
The skull and crossbones in use today was drawn by the football teamβs former offensive coordinator, Marcus Wood, who now serves as the executive director of College Advancement. The letters βMPWβ are incorporated into the jawbone of the skull in honor of Woodβs three sons, Marc, Parker and Will.
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"East Mississippi Community College truly feels like home. The community here is very close, creating an environment where everyone supports one another. East Mississippi is not only a place to build meaningful connections, but also a place to build a strong foundation for your future."
"I chose 91ΧΤΕΔ because I wanted a college that offered not just an education but also a community. The schoolβs reputation for academic excellence, leadership development, and student engagement made it an easy choice. From Phi Theta Kappa to Student Government, band, and choir, 91ΧΤΕΔ provided countless ways to get involved. The welcoming atmosphere and dedicated faculty made me feel at home from the very start. I knew this was a place where I could challenge myself, grow, and make lasting connections. 91ΧΤΕΔ wasnβt just a step in my journey; it became a defining chapter in my life."
"East Mississippi Community College has provided an exceptional foundation for my academic and personal growth. The professors' dedication has fostered my development into a stronger student. 91ΧΤΕΔ offered numerous opportunities for me to excel, both in academics and extracurricular activities. Here, I've built incredible friendships that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. The knowledge I gained and the memories I made at 91ΧΤΕΔ will forever be a part of me when I embark on my journey to a four-year college."
"91ΧΤΕΔ isn't just a place to learn, it's home. Passionate instructors around every corner offered an opportunity to grow. Remember - there's a whole community invested in your success."
"East Mississippi Community College has been an incredible launching pad for my future! I'm so grateful for the knowledge and experiences I've gained here!"
