May 3, 2007

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Former Villanova football standout Billy Joe has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame Divisional Class for 2007. The Divisional Class considers players and coaches from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA). Joe and the rest of the class of 2007 will be inducted into the College Hall of Fame during the enshrinement ceremonies to be held July 19-21 in South Bend, Ind.

Joe earns the Hall of Fame call for his coaching accomplishments. Throughout his storied coaching career, Joe registered 237 victories as head of Florida A&M (1994-2004), Central State (OH) University (1981-93) and Cheyney University (1972-78). During his stint at Florida A&M, Joe led the Rattlers to five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles and was named the MEAC Coach of the Year on three occasions.

At Central State, he guided his teams to 10 straight NAIA playoff appearances. In his 31 years as a collegiate head coach, Joe recorded 26 winning seasons, in addition to coaching five Black College National Players of the Year.

Joe played at Villanova from 1960-62 and helped the Wildcats to the 1961 Sun Bowl and the 1962 Liberty Bowl. In the 17-9 Sun Bowl win over Wichita, Joe scored the game's first touchdown on a 19-yard run. He finished his Villanova career 587 yards rushing on 142 carries and nine touchdowns. He also tallied four career interceptions.

In addition to his football talents, Joe was also a track star at Villanova. He still currently holds the Villanova school record in the shot put with a throw o 60'6" which was recorded on May 26, 1962. Joe was elected to the Villanova Football Wall of Fame in 1997.