About

About Joe Sottolano

Joe Sottolano, originally from New York, was one of 36 players selected around the nation to try out for Team USA in 1990. He was also part of the 1988 Division III NCAA Baseball National Championship team, and he was selected as the MOP (Most Outstanding Player)

Joe has 23 years of Division I coaching experience, 14 of which as a Head Coach. During his tenure, he has had over 20 student-athletes selected in the MLB Amateur Draft and 46 All-Americans. One player, Chris Rowley, made it to the Major Leagues.

These are just some of the many accolades Joe has achieved as a player and coach, a testament to his unyielding competitive spirit on and off the field.

Joe lives by the core values he has held since his time as a coach at West Point: Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence.

Sottolano: The Baseball Player

Joe’s attributes as a baseball player and his fervent drive were evident early on. He attended Minisink Valley High School in Orange County, New York, where he won the 1986 Times Herald Records Tri-County Player of the Year award.  

From there, he went on to record a brilliant career as a left-handed pitcher at Ithaca College. As a sophomore, he was named the most outstanding player of the Division III World Series, leading the Bombers to the national title.

While at Ithaca College, Joe earned his Bachelor of Science, with a concentration in PE Teaching with a minor in Health, and graduated in 1990. After he graduated, he began his coaching career at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, where he was responsible for the pitching staff and the team’s strength and agility program. He recruited talented players to help build the program into a future championship contender. 

He returned to Ithaca College to earn a Master of Science and assist with the baseball team, honing his coaching skills while obtaining his degree.

West Point Bound as Assistant Baseball Coach

Joe brought his signature fire and passion for developing students/ athletes to the United States Military Academy (USMA), West Point. He was named Army Assistant Coach in 1992 and promoted to Head Coach in 2000.

At USMA, as Assistant Baseball Coach from 1992 to 2000, he contributed to developing its Division I Baseball Team by recruiting talented baseball players and leaders of character. He exceeded recruiting and fundraising goals amid a challenging, competitive environment. In addition to serving as the national recruiting coordinator, his primary responsibility was the team’s pitching coach. Still, he managed all on-field instruction, planned practice schedules, and developed practice plans for the team. He was also responsible for developing and instilling all in- and out-of-season strength training, conditioning, and skill development programs for position players and pitchers. 

Joe was also committed to exercising a high level of integrity by fervently communicating NCAA rules and regulations to staff and athletes and demanding compliance; planning activities to protect the integrity of the program, athletic department, student-athletes, and the institution; and maintaining open lines of communication between compliance staff, student-athletes, and coaching staff by promoting regular meetings and discussions. He also established and maintained alum relationships through monthly out-of-season newsletters and weekly in-season email updates. 

Turned USMA Into a Perennial Patriot League Contender

As head coach from 2000 to 2013, he built the Army’s high profile with his stellar coaching and mentoring skills. He transformed USMA’s Division I Baseball Team into a nationally ranked team and led them to the only NCAA tournament berths in the program’s 100+-year history (2000, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2012, and 2013). Joe oversaw all facets of the program, including assistant coaches, support staff, field crew, and strength and athletic trainers, and has the most wins by any baseball coach in the Academy’s history.

He managed an annual budget of over a million dollars and generated over $4 million in revenue through aggressive fundraising and relationship-building with critical alumni. He was responsible for expanding USMA’s donor base by proactively seeking out new supporters and sources of funding. He served as the team’s brand ambassador, logging countless hours on ESPN, CBS Sports, and YES Network.

His milestones and achievements are many, including the program’s all-time winningest coach in 100-year history, three-time Conference Coach of the Year (2004, 2005, and 2012), recipient of Regional Coach of the Year (2009), and National Coach of the Year finalist (2009).

At West Point, Joe was also a Physical Education Instructor for five years, teaching two to four classes daily and conducting summer training with cadets.

Following USMA, Joe was the premier instructor at the Frozen Ropes National Training Center, where he trained young men and women in baseball and softball. He later served as the Lead Travel Team Instructor for Extra Innings Baseball/Softball Facility, where he developed the program’s training manual for all travel team coaches and instructors.

Making a Difference at Holy Family Schools

His move from New York to Alabama brought him to Holy Family Schools. Joe Sottolano oversees all aspects of the physical education curriculum and extracurricular athletic activities. This includes implementing and monitoring a program that enforces life lessons through physical fitness and youth sports. He injected a variety of sports skills and program management strategies to help bring the school’s athletics program to the highest levels while instilling strong ethics, character, leadership, and Christian beliefs in all students.  

Joe also coaches the 14u Southeast Canes Scout team with his sons Nick and Tyler and works as a sales inspector for Yellowhammer Roofing in Huntsville, Alabama.

On the Personal Side

Joe loves spending time with his wife, Lori, and their two sons. When he is not working, he also loves to hunt and fish.

A man of faith, Joe believes in paying it forward. He and his wife have made monetary donations to individuals and private groups and even donated two vehicles. In addition, they bring venison to the Manna House, a food distribution center for the needy.