Former Rowan University-Glassboro State College head baseball coach Mike Briglia compiled a won-lost record of 502-258-9 in 25 years (1964-88). He guided the baseball team to NCAA Div. III Championships in 1978 and 1979. His squads made seven appearances in the NCAA postseason tournament and won eight New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships.
Briglia only had three losing seasons and 13 times the Profs had seasons with 20 or more wins. Several of his players earned All-America honors and signed professional contracts. He was also the college's men's athletic director for 25 years and a professor of health and physical education.
Briglia was named National Coach of the Year in 1979.
Under his leadership, twenty-six of Briglia's players signed professional contracts. But he was most proud that so many of his players went on to become accomplished educators and coaches in schools throughout the state.
Briglia was inducted into the Rowan Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Dr. Michael Briglia Scholar Athlete Award is annually given to a Rowan senior male athlete who possesses skill, attitude, and dedication to athletics.
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.
