Jeffrey Quinn Stoddard
Over the course of his career at Branford High School and Sacred Heart University, 2024 Branford Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Jeff Stoddard (2011 BHS Graduate) excelled in baseball and accumulated an impressive list of honors and awards.
Jeff was a talented pitcher and first baseman at BHS (2008 – 2011), playing for Branford Sports Hall of Fame Head Coach George Dummar (2017 Inductee). During his high school career, Jeff accumulated 20 wins on the mound for the Hornets. As a senior, he was selected as the New Haven Register All-Area Team MVP, named to the CHSCA All-State Team, and honored on the New Haven Register All-State First Team. At the CHSCA All-State game representing Branford, Jeff pitched 2 scoreless innings while hitting a double, leading to his selection to play against fellow New England All-Stars. During his BHS career, Jeff also played basketball and ran for the cross-county team while being a member in the National Honor Society.
Perhaps his most prestigious accomplishment at BHS: being the winning pitcher of the 2009 Class L State Championship game.
Jeff further excelled on the Branford American Legion baseball team (2010 – 2011) playing under Hall of Fame Head Coach Richard Balzano (Class of 2024). During the 2010 season, Jeff was the winning pitcher of the State Championship game. Jeff led the team to the Legion World Series in Spokane, WA, hurling 140 pitches, a complete game shutout, in the New England regional tournament. Jeff received State All-Tournament honors (2010 – 2011) and New England Regional All-Tournament honors (2010).
During his 2-year tenure with the American Legion baseball team, Jeff compiled a pitching record of 16-3, of which 5 wins occurred in either the State or New England regional games. He was named as a member of the New Haven Register American Legion All-Time Dream Dozen team.
Jeff furthered his baseball and academic career at Sacred Heart University on an athletic and academic scholarship. Jeff was a two-time team captain and won two NEC championships, each earning the team a bid in the College World Series. In his sophomore season Jeff compiled seven wins, of which six were complete games; this placed Jeff fourth in complete games for all of NCAA Division 1 baseball. Jeff simultaneously excelled in academics, earning the Professor Gary Rose Scholar Athlete of the Year award and the Silver Medal of Excellence in Accounting.
During his summers, Jeff played two seasons for the Mystic Schooners of the Northeast Collegiate Baseball League and one season for the Edenton (NC) Steamers of the Coastal Plains League.
Everything seemed to be falling into place for Jeff as he entered his senior season at SHU. He was the team captain and Friday night starter who was attracting interest from over 15 MLB teams. In the first inning of his second start of the season, Jeff unfortunately tore his ulnar collateral ligament but did not go down without a fight. He finished that inning, striking out the last batter he faced during his senior season.
Jeff returned to play baseball at SHU while earning his Master’s Degree in Accounting and passing all parts of the Certified Public Accounting examination. He went on to become a licensed CPA, specializing in tax at KPMG LLP in Stamford. He currently resides in Trumbull with his wife Danielle and son Quinn. Jeff continues to stay active playing softball with some of his fellow BHS alumni and training for marathons.
