A varsity performer in soccer, basketball and baseball in the mid-1960’s, Giallella earned
first-team All-City in soccer as a senior, second-team in baseball and third-team in basketball.
From there he enjoyed a standout soccer/baseball career at Rider. As centerfielder and leadoff
hitter, Giallella helped the Broncos to fifth place in the College World Series in 1967 and was
named team captain the following season. He also captained the soccer team and scored 33 career
goals and 16 in one season – both school records at the time. Giallella was drafted by the
Phillies in 1969 and played six years in the minor leagues, earning MVP honors in the Carolina
League in 1970 and the Eastern League All-Star game in 1974.
Once his career ended, he returned to Steinert as a teacher in 1975 and became the head
baseball coach in 1983 and embarked on one of the most successful coaching careers in Mercer
County history. In 17 campaigns, the skipper guided Steinert to a 401-111 record, thirteen 20-win
seasons, nine CVC championships, eight Mercer County Tournament titles, six Central Jersey Crowns
and five state titles. He was the The Newark Star Ledger’s Coach of the Decade for the 1990’s and
was named CVC Coach of the Year six times. Giallella is a member of the Rider Athletic Hall of
Fame and has won the Father Clarence O’Shea, NJSIAA Baseball Coaches and Trenton Select Committee
awards. He is also a top Division I basketball official. “G” became the school’s athletic
director in the fall of 2000 and is still there overseeing a program that continues to churn out
championship teams in boys and girls sports.
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