SPORTS HALL of FAME COACH
Michael S. Brazee '76

Mike, aka "Breeze", is only the third Sidney alumnus-turned-coach to be inducted into the Sidney Alumni Sports HOF.. This 1976 graduate was a three sport performer at Sidney - football, basketball and baseball. As a youngster Mike was a stellar third baseman on the Jets Little League team, often going to the backhand to snare a hot grounder and getting the out at first. Hoops wise, his teams were perennial winners, culminating in a Sus West champion JV team and two historically successful varsity teams. During his final baseball season, Mike led the Warriors with 15 RBIs while playing every inning at shortstop and batting .267.

A career as a phys ed teacher was in the cards, though it took a little while for that to play out. First was an education at SUNY-Cortland, then came a stint at Job Corps in Oneonta. During his eight years there, Mike was a recreation specialist or PE teacher, depending on the contract at the time.

In March of 1988, a grant brought Mike back home to Sidney. At first it was as a GED and study skills mentor then, by that fall, a position opened; thus began his long tenure as a phys ed teacher, His goal had come to be!

Similarly, the varsity basketball position, previously occupied by his sportsman friend (and best man at his wedding) Bill Munro, became available. From there it was a remarkable 30-year resume of success. The numbers complied are staggering - 425 wins to just 206 losses (67.4%). His teams earned TWO NYS Class C Championships (1998 & 2007) plus another final four appearance (2000). In addition Sidney won 7 League and Division titles. Mike represented Section Four as its Basketball Coaches Association of New York (BCANY) "Coach of the Year". All of those great teams were built not only by his solid program at Sidney but also during summer travel ball and team camps. Quite simply, Mike, his coaches and his players put in the work necessary to be winners.

Breeze also coached JV baseball through the 1990s before switching to varsity softball in 2000. Competition was always tough, The Lady Warriors were MAC League champions in 2015, while many of his teams qualified for the Section IV tournament before he stepped down in 2021. As varsity golf coach, (2013-18) his teams won 3 league titles, going unbeaten in league matches over three seasons (2014-16). Mike finished with an impressive overall golf coaching record of 64-3.

As mentioned before, Mike was always a sportsman, nurturing his love of hunting and fishing through his dad, Norm. And let's not forget golf, a sport in which he excels. Mike won the Men's club championship at Sidney in 2017 and 2020 and was often in the top two or three when he didn't win.

Tonight he IS the winner again of a well-deserved place in the Alumni Sports Hall of Fame.