Miller Bugliari Memory Book - Page 14

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I know Miller as a colleague, coach to my son Chris, teacher (Mr.Bio) to my daughter Megan, mentor to us all, and most importantly as a friend.  There are too many Miller stories to even begin recounting, but each year I am amazed by his memories of soccer moments when he announces his former players at the alumni soccer game.  He talks about moments of play during games that occurred many years ago which often the players wished he would forget!
I look forward to the days that he comes to the Short Hills campus, and I am proud that he has been honored by this well-deserved award.

Joan Pearlman

Recollections from Miller's first team-  Some remembered him even then as a former student and one who would come back to visit Hillside from time to time coaching beside Mr. Les and Mr. Williams - From the game at Hun on a dark, dismal, cold day to the elation of a hard fought victory at home against Blair - The ardent enthusiasm of our own fellow 'Pingryite'  as the task master who repeated before every game those words to live by "If you play well and win, walk off the field graciously; If you play well and lose, walk off the field with dignity; If you play poorly and win, expect "extra conditioning" after the game;  If you play poorly and lose, God help you! - On the bus to an away game, silence for the last half hour to concentrate on the game.  -  Hopping - the Olympic team's warm-up program.  -  The ball bouncing over the goalie's head in the Hillside game.  -  the 'blood' game with Jefferson,- playing kindly against Rutgers Prep to avoid a runaway score - counting  ball contacts - "make 40 shots and you'll win" - "no aerial soccer on front of the goal!" - 45 years later one can still surely say that Miller gave us a leadership example worthy of being followed. 

Dave Rogers '61 

"Miller" doesn't sound right - I'm sure many respondees have said "Mr. Bugliari sounds more appropriate!"

My name is Jim Stearns and I graduated from Pingry in 1967.  In the fall of my senior year - 40 years ago - I was a third-stringer on Mr. Bugliari's soccer team.  I am not to be confused with Bill Sterns who was a stand-out goalie and graduated the year before.  I do not expect him to remember me, as I was not a large presence on or significant contributor to the team.  But I do remember Mr. Bugliari and I would like him to know that I took the experience he provided me forward in my life.

I remember throwing up during the long runs and wind sprints of the first day of practice because I had goofed off the summer before and had not trained as he urged us to do.  But I also remember continuing to run.  I remember the season-long effort to become stronger and better.  So does my body: my upper leg muscles changed that year, and remain with me.  I remember the tough goals that Mr. Bugliari set for the team and each individual on the team.

What I took away and bring forward from Mr. Bugliari is a conviction in the importance of hard work and high standards.  I have achieved a modest measure of success in my life: a happy marriage, a productive engineering career.  They required hard work and high standards.  Mr. Bugliari helped me learn their importance, and I am grateful to him.

Jim Stearns '67

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