Richard Migli
Richard Migli
Dick grew up in Avon and played sports throughout his life, one that was cut short in 1993 when he passed away due to complications from Lou Gehrig’s disease. While at Avon High, Dick played football, basketball and baseball and earned 12 varsity letters. "There was nothing Dick Migli could not do in sports," his high school football coach, the late Glenn McLellan, told Patch Media in 2013. "He was a natural with great leadership ability, and everyone liked and respected him as an athlete and as a friend." As a sophomore, he was the starting outfielder on Avon’s state championship baseball team in 1968. Earlier in his sophomore season, he was a key member of the Avon High football team that became the first gridiron team in school history to finish undefeated (8-0) in 1967. In that undefeated season, Dick was 11-of-14 kicking extra points with one field goal. That lone field goal was a 26- yard field goal that beat Simsbury, 3-0. Only three players have kicked game-winning field goals for Avon since the program began in 1960 and Dick was the first to do so. In the opening game of the 1969 season, Dick had an outstanding day in a 18-14 win over Stonington. He ran 82 yards for a touchdown, kicked a school-record 36-yard field goal and passed for a two-point conversion. Dick also played for the Simsbury American Legion baseball team in 1970. Since his death, a golf tournament has been held in Dick’s memory with proceeds used to fund scholarships at Avon High School awarded to the most deserving young man and woman who competed as multi-sported individuals during their time at Avon High School but more importantly, who demonstrated the same zest for life Dick demonstrated, especially when on the field or court. “Dick Migli got more personal enjoyment from playing interscholastic sports than any other athlete I met in my 37 years at Avon,” said former Avon High Bob Summers to Patch Media in 2013.