Hall of Fame
Joe Sposato graduated from Waterloo HS in 1970 and from SUNY Cortland in 1974. He was the Finger Lakes Rep to the Section V Athletic Council 1996-2004, Executive Committee Member 2004-present and President Section V 2006-2008. Joe chaired various Section V committees including Competition Committee, Championship Advisory Committee, Operations and Procedures Handbook Committee, and Past President rep to the Non-Public School/Charter Committee Director. Under his leadership Waterloo hosted the NYS Softball Tournament in 2009 and 2010. Joe also served as the Section V Rep to the NYSPHSAA Executive Director search which hired Robert Zayas.
Joe indicated that his biggest challenge as Section V President was discovering that the Section’s financial reserve was severely depleted. Overseeing the strategies to curb tournament expenses was a long two-year process. Joe stated that Ed Stores, former Executive Director of Section V, deserves real credit for conducting sport chairperson meetings as part of the plan to regain a surplus. It must be noted that many of the factors initiated during Joe’s Presidency, are still in place today.
Joe chaired the committee that lead to the development of a Section V Championship Philosophy Document (now incorporated in the Operations manual). This document has gone a long way in providing direction and clarity to how our championships are run. The Competition Committee is now entrusted to oversee that these procedures are followed.
Joe was honored with the 2017 Chapter 5 Community Service Award for Contributions to his League and the Section. He has also been honored with several Coach of the Year Awards in Baseball and Basketball and his teams won 12 league titles in the Finger Lakes encompassing 4 sports.
Jack Puficato stated, “I can honestly say I have rarely seen a person work so hard to do his/her best as Joe Sposato. While his criticism can be hard, it’s always constructive and communicated in a professional manner. I have never witnessed his ego present; he only wants to make Section V the best it can be.” Tim Lincoln stated: “perhaps Joe's biggest notoriety would be his impact on his former players, who have become coaches themselves. Joe has left a tremendous legacy on Waterloo Athletics, as well as, Section V Athletics.”
Joe and his wife Laura have 2 boys and continue to live in Waterloo.