Eastern Connecticut State University

Stanley J. (Lefty) Miela was a two-sport athlete at Willimantic State Teachers College who truly excelled on the diamond. A four-year member of the baseball and basketball programs, Miela was a member of the second baseball team in school history in 1950. The slick-fielding first basement batted third in the order throughout most of his first three years before moving into the cleanup spot as a senior in 1953. That year, the Willimantic native led the club in most every individual category, including average and hits (tie). In basketball, Miela moved into a regular role in the backcourt as a junior in 1951-52. As a senior, he scored in double figures nine times, including a career-high 30 in his final home game when the Teachers edged New Haven, 79-75,  in overtime at the High Street Gym.