Coach – 1992
Briglia grew up in Yorkville, Ohio and graduated from Ohio University in 1950 with a B.A. in education after earning All-Mid-American honors as third baseman and co-captain of the Bobcat baseball team his senior year. In 1980, he received a Distinguished Service Award from his alma mater.
After serving as a second lieutenant in the Army during the Korean War, he came east to teach and coach (baseball 1960 to 1963) at Cherry Hill West (then Delaware Township High School) and work on his doctorate at Temple University, which he received in 1968.
Dr. Michael “Mickey” Briglia is the winningest baseball coach in Profs’ history and guided Glassboro State to the only national titles in the program’s history.
In 25 years (1964 to 1988) as head coach, Briglia compiled a 502-258-9 record, while leading the Profs to their first NCAA Division III Championship in 1978 and then a repeat title in 1979. His squads made a total of seven appearances in the NCAA Tournament and won eight NJAC titles. Before GSC joined the NCAA, Briglia led the Profs to a total of four NAIA Area 8 titles and his teams made four appearances in the NAIA World Series.
During his tenure, the Profs recorded 13 seasons with 20 or more wins, and only had three losing seasons. He coached 11 players who earned All-American status and numerous players who signed professional contracts. He was named the national Coach of the Year in 1979
Briglia, who served as Glassboro State’s men’s athletic director for 25 years and was as a professor of health and physical education, was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1990. The Dr. Michael Briglia Award is annually given to a Rowan male student-athlete who possesses skill, attitude and dedication to athletics.
Mickey Briglia passed in January 2006 at age 76.