Hall of Fame
Even before John Brigham arrived in Northfield back in 1986, he had two very significant Norwich role models. His father Don is a 1959 NU graduate and a member of the Hall of Fame, while his brother Dave, a 1988 graduate, was a co-captain on the football team. In fact, John says it was his brother he recruited him to play along side him on the defensive line. John also went on to serve as football co-captain.
A two-sport athlete at Norwich, John excelled on the wrestling mat where he was a four-time New England champion in the heavy weight division, a two-time All-American, and was named as the Vermont Athlete of the Year. He also represented Norwich three times at the NCAA championships where he finished second as a fifth-year senior year. John recalls a very difficult match against seventh-seeded Dan Bobish of Mount Union College en route to the national championship match.
"I was down 4-1 and my opponent was tossing me around, but I pinned him," said Brigham. John was co-captain for his final two seasons ,during which the Cadets finished fifth (1990) and second (1991) in the New England College Conference Wrestling Association.
"I appreciated being elected co-captain," said Brigham. "It was an honor. We had a good group of guys and a lot of them could be leaders."
Brigham credits then head coach Jessie Castro for leading Norwich to success, both collectively and individually.
My wrestling coach Jessie Castro was awesome," said Brigham. "I wouldn't have been an All-American if it weren't for him. He was the best coach you could have."
Brigham majored in Communications and minored in Education. he later earned a Master of Education Administration degree, also from NU. He was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Corps of Cadets.
After leaving Norwich, Brigham taught and coached in Arizona where he helped start a few wrestling teams. He has since left the teaching profession and is now in commercial real estate.
When he's not working, John likes to spend as much time as possible with his wife Beth and their seven-year-old daughter, Meghan. He also enjoys running, lifting, and reading.
