A Jersey Blues Testimonial - Baseball Alum Dr. Joe Cilea

Lincroft, NJ - 1989 graduate and two-year Jersey Blues outfielder, Dr. Joe Cilea, conveys how being a student-athlete at Brookdale Community College prepared and shaped him for the many phases in his life. 

"I enjoyed my days at Brookdale CC. Each day was a balance of academics and athletics that helped prepare me for so many phases of my life.

To this day I remember many of my professors and the challenges of maintaining excellent grades with the demands of being a student athlete. I still remember a specific Diet and Nutrition class that sparked my interest in the healthcare field which ultimately led me to my current career as a Chiropractor and business owner.

Brookdale was a place where I kindled friendships with athletes who were once rivals on the high school baseball fields of the Shore Conference. Once arriving at BCC these former rivals ultimately became my lifelong friends and teammates. To this day we fondly call these former teammates, 'Blue Brothers'.

A special bond of friendship and camaraderie was forged as we all respected one another for our talents and athletic abilities. To this day we do our best to meet at least one time per year to share laughs and stories from the "Glory Days" on the BCC diamond playing under the legendary coach Paul MacLaughlin. We also chime in on group chats to share accomplishments of each other's careers, our children's endeavors or just laughs about the stories of our experiences at BCC.

Off the field, the team bond extended into the fabric of everyday life. Whether it was sharing laughs over lunch in the cafeteria or studying late into the night in the library, every moment spent with my teammates and classmates was imbued with a sense of belonging and kinship. Together, we navigated the highs and lows of college life, supporting each other through academic challenges and athletic triumphs.

Brookdale also prepared me for the next chapter of my life which was Villanova University and then Chiropractic school at Life University.

Looking back, I realize that my time at Brookdale Community College was more than just an education—it was a transformative experience that shaped the very core of who I am. For it was there, amidst the ebb and flow of academics and athletics, that I learned the true value of perseverance, teamwork, and friendship—lessons that continue to guide me on my journey through life."