Toby Toler, John Mulligan, Lewis Price, Jonathon Block and Elliott Heward

While he was in town to referee soccer games for Dallas Cup, John Mulligan enjoyed the Lake Highlands hospitality of John and Leigh Ann Hicks, bunking in their extra bedroom and going out to dinner with their family.

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When Mulligan, shown here in shorts and referred to as Little John while he was here to distinguish him from the very tall Jon Block who stayed at my home, returned to school in Carlisle, he reveled in his new-found rock-star status. The local newspaper ran his photo on the front page, describing his “meteoric rise” and recounting the number of games he officiated in the high-profile international youth soccer tournament.

“It was brilliant,” the Carlisle News and Star quoted Mulligan as saying, “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The experience benefited me 10-fold.”

Today, John is back at school, working with renewed vigor to become a professional referee. And, with the boost Dallas Cup has given him, he may just make it.

Author

  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.