Brookdale Community College’s Richard Kernan Earns Golden Glove Award

Brookdale Community College standout student-athlete Richard Kernan has been named the recipient of the 2025 ABCA/Rawlings NJCAA Division III Golden Glove Award, recognizing his defensive performance at first base during the 2024–2025 baseball season.

A sophomore this past season, Kernan anchored the infield for the Jersey Blues and played a key role in Brookdale’s historic run to its first NJCAA DIII World Series appearance since 2007. Over 45 games, he recorded a remarkable .993 fielding percentage, committing just two errors all season.

“Richard’s consistency and work ethic made him one of the top defensive players in the country,” said Brookdale head coach Johnny y Johnson. “His glove saved us countless runs and gave our team confidence every time the ball was hit his way.”

Kernan was also a force at the plate, hitting .324 with 43 runs scored, 44 hits, 11 doubles, five home runs, and 37 RBIs. His performance helped lead Brookdale to a dominant 41-11 record and a return to the national stage.

The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), founded in 1945, honors top amateur baseball players across eight divisions, including NJCAA, NCAA, NAIA, and high school levels. The Golden Glove Awards, sponsored by Rawlings, recognize the best defensive players at each position.

Rawlings Sporting Goods, a global leader in sports equipment since 1887, is renowned for its commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The company is the official supplier of balls and batting helmets for Major League Baseball and a trusted name in collegiate and high school sports.

For more information about the ABCA/Rawlings NJCAA Golden Glove Award and to view all 2025 recipients, visit NJCAA Golden Glove Awards.