WARWICK, R.I. — The Community College of Rhode Island is proud to announce that longtime coach and athletic director Vin Cullen has been named a recipient of the NJCAA Coaches Association Legacy Award, a national honor recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact on two-year college athletics and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student-athletes throughout their careers.

Cullen is a visionary leader who laid the foundation for CCRI athletics. He launched the college’s athletic program in 1969 and became CCRI’s first Director of Athletics in 1970.

As head coach of the men’s basketball team, he led the Knights to a 711-256 overall record, 13 NJCAA National Tournament appearances, and four Final Four finishes. His 711 wins remain the most in program history and positioned CCRI as a perennial national powerhouse in junior college basketball.

Beyond his coaching accomplishments, Cullen was a devoted educator and mentor. His impact reached far beyond the court, championing opportunities for student-athletes and expanding access to intercollegiate sports in Rhode Island.

In recognition of his lifelong contributions to the college and its students, Cullen was inducted into CCRI’s Society of Knights in 2012, the institution’s highest honor. He was also a member of multiple halls of fame, including the NJCAA Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.

In addition to Cullen’s national recognition, Kevin Salisbury, who served as CCRI’s Interim Director of Athletics from 2017 to 2023, was honored with the L. William Miller Award by the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA). The award recognizes outstanding leadership, service, and integrity in an athletic program at a two-year college or organization.

Salisbury began his tenure at CCRI in 1999 as Assistant Director of Athletics. During his time as interim director, he provided steady leadership and support for student-athletes, coaches, and staff, including during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) named him Athletic Director of The Year in 2023.