UVA Men’s Lacrosse

However, once he informed his teammates, the Cavaliers’ medical team took action, initiating the quest to identify the source of Mullen’s issues. The initial results were not promising.

“For about two months, it was just an endless stream of tests, including blood tests,” Mullen recounted. “They probably conducted around 10 of those. EKGs were performed repeatedly along with various types of screenings. We had numerous heart echos done. Everyone kept saying, ‘We have no clue what’s wrong.’ They were unable to determine anything.”

Mullen’s sister, Taylor, who was a graduate transfer playing for the UVA women’s lacrosse team in 2023, had interned under Dr. Charles Berul, a cardiologist at Children’s National Hospital located in Washington, D.C. Their mother, Lisa Mullen, reached out to Berul, “and he said, ‘Okay, bring him in, and let’s see what we can uncover,’ ” Tucker Mullen shared.

Mullen mentioned that there is no history of heart disease in their family, and Berul did not find anything unusual. Another physician reached the same conclusion after assessing Mullen. Ultimately, an MRI disclosed that Mullen had an anomalous origin of the right coronary artery, a rare congenital defect where the right coronary artery is not positioned correctly anatomically.

“Thus, I was receiving only about 30 percent blood flow from one of my arteries,” stated Mullen, whose cardiologist at UVA is Dr. Peter Dean.

This condition is typically identified only post-mortem, “so thankfully, that wasn’t the case for him,” Vozzo commented.

According to his doctors, Mullen learned that if he opted against surgery, the defect could be life-threatening, even with his decision to stop playing lacrosse.

“So, for me, the choice was clear,” Mullen explained. “Even if I’m done with Division I lacrosse for the rest of my life, I don’t want to worry about playing tennis in the future or anything else, and this possibly becoming an issue. Thus, it was a straightforward decision for me. It was like, ‘Let’s proceed with this; let’s correct it. I want to keep trying to play and explore what I can achieve.’ ”

Dr. Yves d’Udekem, a cardiac surgeon, conducted the surgery at Children’s National Hospital, and Mullen commenced his rehabilitation. He spent four days in the hospital before moving to his grandparents’ residence in Chevy Chase, Md., where he continued his recovery while completing his coursework for the semester.

“All my professors were fantastic,” Mullen, an American studies major on track for graduation in May, remarked. “Most of them switched my exams to an online format, allowing me to take them from wherever I was without needing to constantly travel back to Charlottesville. I finished the semester, not as strongly as I would have liked, but adequately given the circumstances.”

Carrying a significant scar on his chest, Mullen gradually regained his fitness. He experienced his first bout of pericarditis in February, stating, “I actually went to the hospital for it,” explaining, “because I was panicking. I woke up around 2:30 AM with severe chest pain and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m having a heart attack.’ I genuinely believed I was dying, and rushed to the [emergency room]. They diagnosed me with pericarditis and prescribed medication. Then, I started the process of returning to play.”

Mullen, who sat out last season, faced a second occurrence of pericarditis in May. Yet, by the onset of fall practices, he was in good health and delivered a striking performance in one of Virginia’s scrimmages, netting multiple goals against Georgetown in North Bethesda, Md.

“There was one diving goal that everyone was excited about because it marked the first play I’d made since [the surgery],” Mullen shared. “Everyone went wild. It felt great.”

While not “a starter that day,” Tiffany noted, “those were impressive goals. I walked away thinking, ‘This guy could definitely fit into our man-up [unit].’ That would be fantastic, right?”

Nunes described Mullen as “one of those players you’d call slick. He’s incredibly gifted.”

Equally impressive has been Mullen’s optimistic demeanor throughout his challenges.

“He’s always such a cheerful and lively kid,” Nunes said. “He’s like, ‘I’ve never been down,’ and he approaches everything with a carefree attitude, which remains unchanged. He’s encountered numerous opportunities to feel low, whether it’s the recurring pericarditis or undergoing heart surgery, but he has faced it head-on, continuing to stay positive.”

Mullen, who has been on medication since his initial episode of pericarditis, has endured “a really difficult journey,” Vozzo remarked, “yet he always radiates happiness and optimism. There have certainly been tough days as anyone would face, but he’s grateful that he’s working on improving and healing.”

His teammates and coaches have provided immense support throughout his recovery, Mullen noted, as he resides with defenseman George Fulton.