Brickley was a three-year letterman as a wide receiver on the varsity football team. A two-time Associated Press Division I-AA All-America honorable mention selection, he earned the honor in 1987 and again in 1988, when the Big Red compiled an overall record of 7-2-1 and tied for the Ivy title. He was also a two-time All-Ivy first-team pick. Brickley led the Ivy League in receptions with 43 for 382 yards in league contests in 1987, posting 56 receptions for 518 yards total on the year. Brickley finished his career as Cornell's third-leading all-time pass catcher in both receptions (88) and yards (1,071), though slowed by a knee injury before the start of his sophomore year.
