FORTVILLE — The impact was felt right when the doors were opened for last month’s Mt. Vernon-Triton Central volleyball match to honor former coach Eric Bulmahn.
The coach that had seven 20-win seasons in his eight years as Mt. Vernon’s head volleyball coach, along with a pair of sectional titles and a regular spot among the state’s top-ranked teams, was honored in between the junior varsity and varsity volleyball matches of the Sept. 25 contest between the Marauders and Tigers.
Bulmahn, who retired from high school coaching to concentrate on running his pet supplies store, was recently diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer.
His wife, Monica Bulmahn, said the prognosis is not good and the cancer is in Stage 4. Eric was hopeful to attend last month’s match, but was in the hospital getting treatment. He was able to watch the ceremony from his hospital bed on Mt. Vernon Athletics’ YouTube channel. He came home earlier this month, but now is in hospice care.
“Thank you for coming out and showing your love for Eric,” Monica told the crowd of volleyball fans that included, family, friends, players from Eric’s eight years as head coach, and some of Eric’s teammates from when he played collegiately at Ball State University. “The outpour of support and generosity of our friends, family, the MV community, and the volleyball network has been indescribable.
“Eric wanted to let everyone know he is at piece with his diagnosis. He trusts God’s plan and knows Jesus died on the cross for him so he can spend an eternity in heaven. We know God is walking with us through this time and we feel his comfort. Please continue to pray for him and our whole family as we continue this journey. We feel the love.”
The Bulmahns are the epitome of a volleyball family.
Monica and Eric met when they were collegiate volleyball players. Their daughters, Jaclyn, Victoria and Cecilia all starred at Mt. Vernon High School and later played at the Division I level. Cecilia is currently playing at Southern Illinois University.
After Monica talked to the crowd, Eric’s brother, Mark Buhlman, announced the establishment of the Eric Bulmahn Mt. Vernon Legacy Fund. The fund will provide support for the Mt. Vernon High School volleyball program, including scholarships, equipment, and other resources to help young athletes pursue their dreams in the sport.
Mark and his wife, Connie Bulmahn, donated $25,000 to the fund and have committed to matching any outside donations to the fund dollar for dollar over the next 12 months, up to $25,000. This matching gift initiative could potentially raise $75,000 for the fund in honor of Eric.
At the entrance to the gymnasium, a table was set up with family photos as well as pictures during Bulmahn’s coaching and playing days. Friends were able to leave notes of encouragement that would be delivered to the longtime, successful coach.
“What I was blown away with was when I walked in the doors around 6:10 and there were already so many people pouring in, I feel that’s a testament to the man Eric is,” Maddie Keerns, a former player for Eric who later coached alongside him. “Eric’s probably touched more lives in the volleyball world in Indiana than a lot of other coaches. I was lucky enough to be one of them as both a player and later I was able to coach with him two seasons ago as a colleague.
“As a player, he pushed me, and I was able to play college volleyball and won a national championship at Marian. Without Eric taking over the volleyball program at Mt. Vernon I don’t think any of that would have been possible. I was here the first year at Mt. Vernon without him. We went 9 -20. We were terrible. By the next year we were beating New Castle in the sectional.”
Bulmahn’s Mt. Vernon teams had a combined record of 195-60 during his time as head coach.
To help the family during this difficult time a GoFundMe page was established with a goal of raising $50,000. As of Friday, $42,300 has been raised.
To contribute to the GoFundMe page go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-eric-bulmahn-and-family-through-tough-times.
For more information or to make a donation to the recently established fund in Eric Bulmahn’s honor, go to https://onecau.se/ericlegacy, or contact Renee Oldham, Executive Director, Mt. Vernon Education Foundation, at [email protected].
“My brother Eric truly embodied the spirit of a ‘girl dad,’ always looking out for his daughters and everyone he coached,” Mark Bulmahn said. “Now, it’s our turn to give back and honor him for all he’s done to uplift so many young lives in the Mt. Vernon community.”
