Mike Kligerman was born to Buddy and Joann Kligerman in Branford. He graduated from BHS in 1985. “Kligs” earned a reputation as an all around athlete while a student at BHS. He excelled in football, basketball, and baseball during a period when three-sport athletes were a rarity. Mike was a three-year starter in basketball for the Hornets and was team Captain during his Junior and Senior years. He was an outstanding shooter and defender. For a guard, his rebounding was remarkable. He earned first team All Housy as a Senior and was selected to the Lions Club Festival All Tournament Team in 1985. He earned a place on the New Haven Tap Off Club All County Team and Honorable Mention for the New Haven Register All State Team. Mike finished his career averaging more than 15 points per game scoring 940 points and collecting 358 rebounds. Although Mike only played one year of High School football, he earned a starting role on both sides of the ball as a defensive end and running back. Throughout
the season Mike regularly dropped opposing quarterbacks. His strong defensive play earned him an Honorable Mention selection to the All Housatonic League team. Some would argue it was baseball where Mike displayed his strongest athleticism. Mike was the starting center fielder and clean up hitter for three seasons where he was named Honorable Mention on the All Housatonic league team and was a repeater his Junior and Senior year. Mike was selected as a captain his Senior year. After graduating Mike attended Cheshire Academy for a Post Graduate year where he received an athletic scholarship. In the Fall of 1985 Mike joined the soccer team as a goalie and led the Cats to their first ever New England Preparatory School Championship. During the basketball season Mike was voted Captain and averaged 18 points and 7 rebounds. During the baseball season Mike was voted Captain and batted .350.
“Kligs” was awarded the 1986 Athlete of the year at Cheshire Academy’s annual sports banquet. Mike went to UCONN to continue his baseball career under Coach Andy Baylock. Mike played 1st base and batted clean up for 2 years on the Junior Varsity team where he batted .337 over his two seasons in the program. Mike played for two summers in the renowned West Haven Twilight League as a member of the Knights of Columbus. In 1987 and 1988 Mike batted .338 and .362 and finished in the top ten for both seasons. Mike has been a pharmaceutical sales representative since 1992 and for the past 26 years has worked for Genentech Biopharmaceuticals. Mike lives in Naples, Florida with his wife Debbie and their three children Zachary, Leah, and Jacob.
