Track & Field

By Mark Singelais, The Times Union


ALBANY — Pat Cullen doesn't believe in formality when he teaches introduction to computer science at The College of Saint Rose.

He insists on being called "Pat," not "Mr. Cullen" or "Professor."

After all, Cullen turned 23 in March and he still attends Saint Rose as a graduate student. He competes on the school's track team as an accomplished distance runner and he's younger than some of his students.

Cullen, who got his bachelor's in computer science from Saint Rose last year, is in his only semester as a part-time adjunct professor.

"I've enjoyed it more than I thought I would," he said. "I've never been in a position to be in charge, so it's kind of fun to do. Everybody's respectful."

Among those in his twice-a-week class are some friends and one track teammate, freshman Macky Lloyd of Voorheesville.

But they get no special favors from Cullen, who describes himself as a fair grader but is no easier to take advantage of in the classroom than he is to beat in the 10,000 meters.

"If you don't do what you're supposed to do, absolutely you're going to get an F," Cullen said. "Don't think you're getting special treatment because you know me. This is a job and if you don't do the work, that says to me you don't respect me and you will fail if you don't do the work."

Cullen, who is 5-foot-9 and 130 pounds, applied that same ethic in transforming himself from an average runner coming out of Hyde Park into Saint Rose's record-holder in the 10,000 (32 minutes, 38.8 seconds) and a co-captain of the cross country team last fall.

Saint Rose assistant coach Andrew Rickert said Cullen has a dedication to the sport that carries over into teaching.

"He definitely has this undeniable passion for learning the sport," said Rickert, who also coached Cullen in cross country. "I wish I could bottle that kind of enthusiasm. He started getting his hands on anything he could read about training methods."

Cullen plans to become a marathoner after he graduates.

Rickert said it's rare for an active college athlete to become a professor because it requires someone who both stays in school past the normal four-year window and is an exceptional student.

Cullen, who graduated cum laude, got a fifth year because he redshirted in cross country as a sophomore in order to aid his development.

He's able to compete in outdoor track as a graduate student because Saint Rose didn't have a program when he was a freshman.

Lloyd, his teammate, said he views Cullen as a mentor on the track. He said he doesn't ask for or receive any slack from Cullen in his computer science class.

"He's not hard-core strict, but it's definitely not one of my easier classes," Lloyd said.

Cullen, who isn't on an athletic scholarship, said he took the teaching job to help pay tuition and because it would look good on his resume.

He'll get his MBA in June and doesn't plan to become a full-time teacher, feeling it would become too repetitive. He'd like to move to Manhattan and get a job with Google.

"I've got to find a job now in this job market," he said. "I'm going to need luck."