On June 7, 2025, Northeastern Pennsylvania mourned the loss of beloved baseball coach and community pillar Alex “Ace” Brogna at the age of 86.
Ace’s life was proof of passion, dedication, and the power of community, leaving an unforgettable mark on everyone he touched.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Ace Brogna was a natural athlete.
At King’s College, where he graduated in 1961, he shone as a sophomore tight end, earning Little All-American honors in football.
Ace played professional baseball in the Minnesota Twins organization from 1961 to 1963, taking the field as a third baseman for teams like Wytheville in the Appalachian League, Fort Walton Beach in the Florida State League, and Erie in the New York-Penn League.
He even shared a room with Tony Oliva, a future Baseball Hall of Famer inducted in 2022, forging memories that would last a lifetime.
After his playing days, Ace served in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, showcasing his commitment to the country.
However, his heart remained in sports, particularly baseball, where he found his true calling as both a coach and an official.
Ace Brogna Coached For Many Years And Had A Positive Impact On Many People
He returned to King’s College as head baseball coach from 1991 to 2001, leading the Monarchs to two Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) championships and a share of a third.
His leadership earned him MAC Coach of the Year honors three times, and he mentored two players who were selected in the MLB draft.
Ace believed in local talent, often saying the best players came from the Wyoming Valley and Lackawanna League.
His influence spread beyond King’s. Since 2002, Ace has served as an assistant varsity baseball coach at Pittston Area High School, bringing his wealth of knowledge to young athletes.
He also coached at Lackawanna College starting in 2009 and joined Keystone College’s baseball team as an assistant coach for nine seasons.
At Keystone, Ace was part of a golden era, helping the Giants achieve a 40-11 record in 2016 and an NCAA Division III National Runner-Up finish at the College World Series.
The team also won Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) titles in multiple seasons, including 2016 and 2017, with Ace’s experience proving invaluable.
Keystone College Athletics mourned his loss, stating,
Ace’s love for sports wasn’t limited to coaching.
Since 1967, he has been a respected official for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), refereeing two state football championship games and one state basketball contest.
He also spent a decade as an NCAA football official, once serving as the standby official for a Division III national championship game.
His presence on the field was a constant, whether it was a crisp Friday night football game in the fall or a heated basketball matchup in the winter.
Ace Was A Key Person In Northeastern Pennsylvania, Involved In Both Baseball And Football
He worked for over 20 years in the banking industry, rising to the position of executive vice president at Wyoming National Bank/Wachovia Bank in Wilkes-Barre.
Since 1991, he has served as an executive assistant to a state senator, balancing his professional life with his passions for sports and community involvement.
Ace was deeply involved in local organizations, serving on the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, the Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, and the Wilkes-Barre Catholic Youth Center.
His efforts to bring professional baseball back to the region were instrumental in the establishment of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (now RailRiders) in the AAA Eastern League in 1989.
As a member of the Northeast Baseball Board of Directors since 1983, Ace’s vision helped elevate the sport locally.
Ace’s Death Led Many People To Share Their Love And Memories Of Him
Jeff Arthur, an umpire and friend, shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook:
“Many years ago I met “Ace”, Alex Brogna, when I started umpiring college baseball and he was coaching at King’s College. “Ace” also treated me great, and he always took the time to ask me how I was doing and how my season was. This past season I was lucky to work a Keystone game at Misericordia and Ace was there. I told him that I loved him and it was awesome to see him again. Rest in peace Ace. Thank you for the friendship for the past 25 years. You will be missed by so many. May God bless you and your family.”
Via Facebook
Chris Ross, another friend, wrote,
These tributes capture the essence of Ace, a man who made time for everyone, whose warmth and wisdom left a lasting impression.
Ace is survived by his daughter, Erin Brogna, his sister Marion, his brothers Jody and Larry Brogna, and other family members.
While his wife is not mentioned among the survivors, Ace’s family was the heart of his life, and his legacy lives on through them and the countless athletes he coached.
From the baseball fields of Pittston to the dugouts of Keystone College, his fingerprints are everywhere.
He was a champion of local sports, a mentor who believed in his players, and a friend who never forgot to check in.
RIP Coach Ace Brogna.
