Vincent A. Pugliese ‘52 will long be remembered for his athletic prowess as a two-sport letterman. His accolades in sports, both extramural and intramural, earned him the notable distinction of Outstanding Athlete of the Class of 1952.

Pugliese was co-captain of the MJC Knights football team in 1951 and 1952. Both years he was voted Most Valuable Player and First-Team Junior College All-American. His talent on the gridiron earned him a scholarship to Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.

Pugliese enjoyed intramural sports. He was a boxer and won the heavyweight boxing title in 1951 and 1952. A student advocate for the sports program, Pugliese served as President and vice-president of the MJC Club, for which he earned the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1965.

After graduating from Bucknell University in 1954, he became an assistant football coach at Blair High School in Silver Spring. This job became a springboard for an illustrious 30-year career as football coach, athletic director, and teacher. He led the football team to a 10-0 record in 1964--the only time a Blair football team enjoyed an undefeated season. In 1987, Pugliese’s tireless efforts were rewarded as he was inducted into the Maryland State Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame.

Pugliese’s talents were not limited to playing and coaching. He officiated at NCAA basketball games in both the ACC and Big East conferences and served as president of the IAABO, an association of basketball officials. In addition, as a volunteer, he established and founded the Atholton Youth Recreation Association in the Atholton/Columbia, Maryland, area: he was president of the Atholton High School PTA: and he was president of the booster club at Atholton High School.

Pugliese credits his wife, Judy, with being the greatest team player he’s ever known. Married for nearly 35 years, the Puglieses have three sons, Vinnie, Michael, and Alex.