Teams: Football: Press Releases

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

BROWNE, SCHLUNTZ TO RECEIVE AWARDS AT GRIDIRON CLUB'S ANNUAL FOOTBALL AWARDS NIGHT

Veteran offensive line coach Mike Browne and alumnus Ed Schluntz will be recognized on Thursday night

MEDFORD -- Mike Browne, the longtime offensive line coach for the Tufts University football team, will be presented the Division II & III Assistant Coach of the Year award by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston at its annual Bob Whelan College Football Awards Night on Thursday (Jan. 15) at the Burlington Marriott Hotel. Also that night, Tufts alumnus Ed Schluntz will receive the Gridiron Club's John Baronian Lifetime Contribution to Football Award.

"Brownie" recently completed his 24th season as an assistant coach for the Jumbos. He has spent all but one of those seasons directing the offensive line, except for the 1985 season during which he coach the defensive line. He has worked under three coaches at Tufts, beginning with Vic Gatto (1980), then Duane Ford (1985-92) and currently Bill Samko (1994-2008). He's mentored Jumbo All-American offensive linemen such as Greg Altman, Mo Glynn, Mike Willey and Adam Collette.

"The kids that played for me deserve the awards," Browne said. "That's what matters to me most, and it was more than football. Some of our guys went on to get Ph.D's. Those guys make me feel great. They're the guys who matter."

Browne has directed the Jumbo blockers during some of the team's most prolific offensive seasons. He was the line coach in 1988 when the team rushing record was set with 2,952 yards. He also coached the line when the individual rushing record was broken in 2001. In 2007, his line protected for an offense that broke or tied 13 team and individual passing and receiving records.

"The kids love him," Samko said. "He brings energy to the practice and game field every day. He's full of energy, and from a technical standpoint he is outstanding."

Next season will be Browne's 25th coaching at Tufts. He's also had stints at Boston State College, Curry College, Boston College, Boston Latin School and Everett High School. A 1973 graduate of Boston State, Browne hails from East Boston and is formerly one of the top college baseball umpires in New England. Brownie and his wife Patty have two children and live in Wakefield.

Schluntz received his B.A. from Tufts in 1950 and his M.Ed. in 1951. While at Tufts, he received ten varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. He went on to a distinguished career in teaching and coaching, while serving as a vital contributor to Tufts as an alumni. At Brookline (Mass.) High School, he held posts as teacher of English, head coach of football and basketball, assistant coach of baseball, and, from 1970 to 1990, as Director of Athletics. He also served as head coach of freshman football at Harvard University from 1990 to 1994. He has served as president of numerous organizations, including the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association, the Suburban League, the Gridiron Club of Boston, and the Windsor Club of Newton. He has served as chair of the MIAA Football Tournament Committee and the Selection Committee of the National Football Foundation, Easter Mass. Chapter.

The Baronian Award that Schluntz will receive on Thursday is named for his former teammate at Tufts, John Baronian. Also a tireless supporter of Tufts and the sport of football, Mr. Baronian passed away last April.

#