Jay Fulmer attends Gulf-River Ridge game

Posted Sep 11, 2010 by Bart O'Connell

Updated Sep 10, 2010 at 11:56 PM

NEW PORT RICHEY—Former Gulf coach Jay Fulmer, just over two weeks removed from resigning his post amid a recruiting scandal, was in attendance at the Jim Valentine Athletic Complex on Friday to watch the Bucs, led by his son, Will, at quarterback, defeat River Ridge 26-20.

Fulmer entered the stadium about three minutes before the game and sat five rows up in the visiting stands. He briefly leaned over the right side of the bleachers and motioned toward the Gulf players, who were waiting to come onto the field at the time. He then took a seat and remained there for the duration of the game, surrounded by fellow fans.

Afterwards, Fulmer hung around and without drawing attention to himself, several Gulf players came up to him. He hugged and spoke to them for a couple minutes before leaving the stadium.

Fulmer declined the Tribune’s request for an interview after the game. He was then asked what it was like to watch the game as he did, from the visiting stands instead of the sidelines.

“If you did this for 27 years, you’d know,” he said before walking away.

Fulmer resigned after Pasco County began an investigation into the alleged recruitment of two players, who transferred to Gulf from Anclote. Those players, Ty’Shon Peters and Kris Aratchiysky, have since been declared ineligible to play by the FHSAA. Meanwhile, Fulmer has been put on administrative leave, and his job status as a Pasco County teacher remains in limbo.

On the field, Fulmer was the most successful coach in Gulf history, leading the school to its only two playoff berths and compiling a 31-22 record.

Fulmer’s former assistant, Ken Hollar, was officially installed as Fulmer’s replacement last week prior to Gulf’s 21-14 win against Hudson. Friday’s win made Hollar and the Bucs 2-0 since Fulmer’s resignation.