At Rensselaer, we are proud to recognize the student-athletes who are members of the Class of 2020. We thank them for their hard work, dedication and tremendous efforts in representing the Institute in a first-class manner academically and athletically. We wish them well as they continue to complete the semester and become Rensselaer alumni / alumnae. 

While at Rensselaer:
Cross country captain ... All-Liberty League three times ... All-Region three times ... NCAA All-America once ... Career-best 24:49.1 at 2019 NCAA Championship, finishing 17th overall ... Competed in mile, 1500, 3000 and 5000 in track ... All-Region three times, including twice (3000, 5000) in 2020 ... NCAA Championship qualifier in 5000 (14:41.34) ... Chemical Engineering major.

Favorite sports memory during career?
"Winning the Atlantic Region as a team for cross country my junior year. We really accomplished something that felt like the graduates in years prior had left for us to do. A whirlwind of emotions that I'll never forget." - April 2020

What makes Rensselaer so special?
"It is a wonderful place where many like-minded people are able to meet. The school and also the team has completely opened my mind to the possibilities of creativity and commitment. The work ethic is unparalleled and the personalities are unforgettable." - April 2020

What are your post-graduation plans?
"I'll be working for Panacea Technologies Inc. in Process Control and Automation Engineering." - April 2020

From the coaching staff:
"What separated Joe from many of his competitors was his intelligence. Whatever was asked of 'Joey', he was able to digest the ask and maximize the benefits of it. Anything from lifestyle, to training, to racing strategy. As a junior, Joey was actually looked to by everyone near him in races as their measuring stick. The strategy actually became 'whatever Joey is doing I am going to do'. He has been a rock for our team when racing, and even in their daily lives." - March 2020 

What others say:
"One of the most hard-working and likeable guys we had on this team. Joey was never one to bring anyone down and really made the underclassmen feel at ease with his calm mannerisms and enjoyable personality." - March 2020

"Joey was the ultimate teammate and also one of the most incredible runners I've ever gotten to race against. His strides were as effortless as a gazelle bounding through the Serengeti. He also could pace himself so that the second half of his race was faster than the first. When he would pass fellow teammates he would always encourage them to stay with him and move together as a pack. In a sport that needs its top five runners to all finish close to each other, his leadership no doubt played a big factor in our recent success. Joey was the alpha of our pack." - March 2020

"Joey is one of the best runners I have ever met but is also one of the most humble and down to earth guys I know." - April 2020

"A great guy, he's the inspiration for the team flannels, and also an inspiration for me." - April 2020

"If there was a race run that seemed to surprise the team, Joey D was probably the one running it. He was always there putting on his best performance when it counted most." - April 2020

"Talking to Joey you would never expect him to be the tour de force he was on the track. Calm, relaxed, smiling and always with a single earbud in listening to music no one else could recognize. I'm going to miss him dearly as we part ways after college." - April 2020

"Consistent hard worker and always calm and collected." - April 2020

All Senior Celebration Series pieces are available by clicking HERE.