Joseph Scott ’99 is probably the most accomplished multi-sport athlete in St. Joseph history. He participated in 12 athletic seasons, earned 9 varsity letters and was selected as the school’s Most Outstanding Athlete in his freshman, junior and senior years.
In football, Joe became the starting quarterback mid-way through his sophomore year. He led the Green Knights to three consecutive state championship games, capturing two. As starting quarterback, he led his team to 25 wins and just a single defeat.
Given such a remarkable record, Joe obviously enjoyed many memorable games, but perhaps his greatest moments came in the 1997 state semi-finals, when he was instrumental in leading the Green Knights to a comeback win over previously undefeated Bergen Catholic and then, just two weeks later, threw five touchdowns in a 57-22 state title win over Seton Hall. Joe was offered a full football scholarship to play quarterback at Colgate, but decided to pursue his baseball career.
In basketball, Joe was a three year letter winner and two year starter, earning Second Team All-League honors as a junior, and a First Team nod as a senior, averaging 12.6 points per game and leading the team in three-pointers. Coach Doherty says, “Joe was a fierce competitor, always a leader on the floor, even as a sophomore. He was an outstanding ball-handler, someone who would knock down the timely three-pointer and an absolutely tenacious defender. He helped restore SJR to the ranks of the top teams in Bergen County, as his senior team reached the 20 win mark for the first time in a decade.”
Finally, in baseball, Joe was a two–time First Team All-County selection; in 1998, as a pitcher, he went 3-1 (including 2 county tournament victories), had 3 saves and a 1.11 era. He batted .398 with 41 runs scored and 41 RBIs. He was selected as “Athlete of the Week” on April 15, 1998 after a week in which he went 9 for 11 with 2 doubles, a triple, a homerun and 4 RBIs.
He also stole 4 bases and started at two different positions. In 1999, he posted a 9-2 record with a 2.20 era and batted .392 driving in 26 runs. He was also the recipient of the Michael Kramer Award as the most outstanding senior baseball player of 1999.
A truly remarkable multi-sport career was capped off by his being named 1999 North Jersey Male Athlete of the Year. After a stellar baseball career at Seton Hall, Joe signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics.
