Joe Sottolano, a New Yorker by birth, earned national attention as one of just 36 athletes chosen to try out for Team USA in 1990. His early prowess was further highlighted when he was named the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) at the 1988 Division III NCAA Baseball National Championship.
With 23 years under his belt as a Division I coach, 14 of which he served as Head Coach, he has mentored over 20 student-athletes who have been selected in the MLB Amateur Draft, including 46 All-Americans. Notably, one of his players, Chris Rowley, ascended to the Major Leagues. These achievements reflect his relentless competitive spirit and dedication both on the field and in life.
The values that guide Joe —Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence—were solidified during his influential tenure as a coach at West Point, shaping his approach to leadership and personal development.
His journey began at Minisink Valley High School in Orange County, New York, where he was awarded the 1986 Times Herald Records Tri-County Player of the Year. He continued to demonstrate exceptional skill as a left-handed pitcher at Ithaca College, leading his team to a national title as a sophomore and earning the title of the most outstanding player of the Division III World Series.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science, with a concentration in PE Teaching and a minor in Health from Ithaca College in 1990, he initiated his coaching career at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. There, he was integral in managing the pitching staff and enhancing the team's strength and agility programs, recruiting talented players to build a future championship contender.
He later returned to Ithaca College to earn a Master of Science and continued to refine his coaching skills by assisting with the baseball team.
In 1992, he brought his signature fire and passion for nurturing student-athletes to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point. Starting as an Army Assistant Coach and later promoted to Head Coach in 2000, he played a pivotal role in advancing its Division I Baseball Team. He spearheaded recruitment and fundraising efforts, surpassing goals in a competitive collegiate sports environment. His responsibilities included managing all on-field instruction, practice schedules, and strength training programs for both position players and pitchers.
Joe Sottolano is also committed to maintaining high integrity, ensuring NCAA compliance among staff and athletes, and fostering solid alum relationships through regular newsletters and updates.
As a head coach from 2000 to 2013, he transformed USMA's baseball program into a nationally recognized team, leading them to six NCAA tournament appearances—the first in the program's over century-long history—and becoming the winningest coach in the Academy's history.
He managed an annual budget of over a million dollars, raised over $4 million through fundraising, expanded the donor base, and served as the team's brand ambassador on major sports networks.
After West Point, he was a primary instructor at the Frozen Ropes National Training Center. Then, he served as the Lead Travel Team Instructor at the Extra Innings Baseball/Softball Facility, developing a comprehensive training manual for coaches.
Now, at Holy Family Schools in Alabama, he oversees the physical education curriculum and extracurricular athletic activities, instilling strong ethical, character, leadership, and Christian values in students.
Joe Sottolano treasures his time with his wife, Lori, and their two sons and enjoys hunting and fishing. Committed to giving back, he and his wife have made significant donations to local charities and provided food to those in need, reflecting his deep-seated values of community service and faith.
