Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Sterrett, Joe
Joe Sterrett
- Induction:
- 2025
- Class:
- 1976
The quintessential Lehigh student, athlete, and leader, Joe Sterrett ‘76 ‘78G ‘03P ‘05P ‘07P ‘09P began his experience on South Mountain as an undergraduate student-athlete, and then coach, university administrator, and eventually, Murray H. Goodman ’48 Dean of Athletics.
Over the course of his 35-year tenure as dean, Sterrett impacted more than 5,982 student-athletes, secured 120 league titles, including 65 Patriot League championships, and bested that school across the Lehigh Valley by a 711-360-10 count.
It all began at Lehigh on the gridiron where Sterrett capped his senior year in a manner that every Lehigh football player dreams about. The quarterback and team captain helped Lehigh win the Rivalry, earned that game’s most valuable player trophy, and soon thereafter, was named an All-American.
Sterrett received his bachelor’s degree from Lehigh in 1976, with majors in finance and social psychology. He went on to earn his master’s degree in educational administration from Lehigh while serving as a graduate assistant football coach.
During the period of his seven-year coaching career as part of John Whitehead’s staff, Lehigh’s football program won 57 games, made three NCAA playoff appearances, finished as the national runner-up once, and won the National Championship in 1977.
As a leader, Sterrett’s tenure brought significant changes at Lehigh and across the NCAA, including the advancement of women’s sports. He was instrumental in shaping the evolution of the athletic experience at Lehigh, making substantial investments in staff, facilities, equipment, and technology.
His impact programmatically is clear as he helped introduce women’s soccer, women’s golf, and women’s rowing; launched Flight 45, a holistic student-athlete leadership development program; created a student-athlete awards program; formed the Faculty Athletics Council; opened the Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame; played a key role in the founding of the Patriot League; and established the Athletics Partnership, a fundraising arm for Lehigh Athletics.
"I always enjoyed and found inspiration in the annual celebrations of the individuals whose impact on Lehigh Athletics have been most distinctive,” Sterrett said. “To now be included as part of this group is humbling and very meaningful. I am truly grateful for the many exceptional individuals for whom and with whom I played, coached, and worked over more than 50 years. My ‘Lehigh Life’ has been quite blessed."
Following a 52-year association with the university, Sterrett retired in 2024.
Sterrett and his wife Cindy, Lehigh ‘76, ‘78G, have four children, all of whom are Lehigh graduates, as well as 13 loyal Lehigh grandchildren.
Over the course of his 35-year tenure as dean, Sterrett impacted more than 5,982 student-athletes, secured 120 league titles, including 65 Patriot League championships, and bested that school across the Lehigh Valley by a 711-360-10 count.
It all began at Lehigh on the gridiron where Sterrett capped his senior year in a manner that every Lehigh football player dreams about. The quarterback and team captain helped Lehigh win the Rivalry, earned that game’s most valuable player trophy, and soon thereafter, was named an All-American.
Sterrett received his bachelor’s degree from Lehigh in 1976, with majors in finance and social psychology. He went on to earn his master’s degree in educational administration from Lehigh while serving as a graduate assistant football coach.
During the period of his seven-year coaching career as part of John Whitehead’s staff, Lehigh’s football program won 57 games, made three NCAA playoff appearances, finished as the national runner-up once, and won the National Championship in 1977.
As a leader, Sterrett’s tenure brought significant changes at Lehigh and across the NCAA, including the advancement of women’s sports. He was instrumental in shaping the evolution of the athletic experience at Lehigh, making substantial investments in staff, facilities, equipment, and technology.
His impact programmatically is clear as he helped introduce women’s soccer, women’s golf, and women’s rowing; launched Flight 45, a holistic student-athlete leadership development program; created a student-athlete awards program; formed the Faculty Athletics Council; opened the Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame; played a key role in the founding of the Patriot League; and established the Athletics Partnership, a fundraising arm for Lehigh Athletics.
"I always enjoyed and found inspiration in the annual celebrations of the individuals whose impact on Lehigh Athletics have been most distinctive,” Sterrett said. “To now be included as part of this group is humbling and very meaningful. I am truly grateful for the many exceptional individuals for whom and with whom I played, coached, and worked over more than 50 years. My ‘Lehigh Life’ has been quite blessed."
Following a 52-year association with the university, Sterrett retired in 2024.
Sterrett and his wife Cindy, Lehigh ‘76, ‘78G, have four children, all of whom are Lehigh graduates, as well as 13 loyal Lehigh grandchildren.
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