A tireless volunteer coach, who has made an impact on Delta’s two high school programs, is among the 2022 inductees into the B.C. Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF).
South Delta Sun Devils offensive coordinator and co-head coach Jerry Mulliss has been recognized for his work in the game that began back in the 1960s and included a stint guiding the Seaquam Seahawks to their lone provincial championship.
A native of England who immigrated to Canada in 1966, Mulliss’ long run in football began in 1968 coaching with Point Grey Minor. His steady rise in the coaching ranks resulted in becoming head coach at Burnaby’s St. Thomas More in 1975. He then worked as an assistant at Simon Fraser University.
For the next 25 years he would make stops at Holy Cross (Surrey), the UBC Thunderbirds and the Abbotsford Air Force of the B.C. Junior Football League.
After another stint at UBC, he returned to the high school ranks in 2010 with the Seahawks, guiding them to a provincial AA championship in 2016. That team was led by twins Jalen and Tyson Philpot who went on to enjoy decorated university careers at the University of Calgary and were among the top picks in last spring’s 2022 CFL Draft.
He would join the Sun Devils a year later as quarterback coach and has expanded his role since, working alongside longtime head coach Ray Moon.
Mulliss has also made a significant impact on the sport off the sidelines, serving as president of Football B.C. for a decade (1990-2000). In addition, he worked as director of marketing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions.
The 2022 induction class also includes Doug Brown, Neal Beaumont, Mark Norman and Mike Bellefontaine in the players’ category. Mulliss is joined in the builders’ category by Frank Rigney and Paul Shortt. Dr. Bob McCormack is the recipient of the Bob Ackles Award.
An induction ceremony will take on Saturday, Sept. 24 prior to the Lions hosting the Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Place Stadium.
“We are very excited finally be able to induct our latest class of 2022,” said Tom Malone, CEO of the BCFHOF. “We are extremely grateful to the BC Lions Football Club, team owner Amar Doman and president Rick LeLacheur, for being a tremendous partner for us and for hosting us once again for our induction ceremony.”
