Joseph Papiano Inducted Into Region 19 Hall Of Fame

Yesterday at the Region 19 meeting Joe Papiano was inducted into the inaugural Region 19 Hall of Fame.

Joseph Papiano was born on July 20, 1921 in Camden City. Joseph was a 2-sport athlete playing football and baseball at Camden City High School. Joseph served in WW2 and was involved in the invasion of Italy. After his years of service in the military, Joseph attended Temple University in 1943 and received his Physical Education degree while participating in baseball and football for Temple University. After graduating from Temple, he worked at Camden City High School as Physical Education teacher, Athletic Director and Coach.

When Camden County College opened in 1967, President Dr. Otto R. Mauke hired Joseph Papiano as the Camden County College first Athletic Director. In 1968 Camden County College started men's soccer, men's basketball and baseball. In the early 70's CCC Baseball would go to Nationals in Colorado. Joseph Papiano was the lead impetus without him there would be no Camden County College Athletics. Joe's interest outside of Athletics was fixing cars, he drove a MGTD restored to work. In December of 1984 while still working as the Athletic Director at Camden County College, Joseph Papiano passed away from an aortic aneurysm at the age of 62. Camden County College's Board of Trustees named the gymnasium the "Joseph Papiano Gymnasium "after his passing in 1985.