Norwich University

The late Joseph F. Garrity made his mark at Norwich as a student-athlete, teacher, coach, and athletic director. Joe was an outstanding halfback in football and infielder in baseball for the Cadets. He was also a member of Skull and Swords and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Joe moved on to a successful career as a teacher-coach at the Barnard School in New York City before returning to Norwich as Physical Education trainer in 1943. He became NU's first Professor of Physical Education in 1955, the year in which he was also named Athletic Director.

Although Joe coached in several areas, his first love was baseball, a sport he coached at NU from 1943 until his retirement in 1967, winning a state championship that year. Norwich named its baseball field in honor of Coach Garrity.


In 1962, Joe was named Graduate Manager of Athletics and continued to serve the University until 1967. In April of that year the Vermont Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association presented Joe with the first Ralph LaPointe Award, a prestigious award for contributions to athletics in the state of Vermont. Joe Garrrity passed away on August 7, 1971. His wife, Margaret, resides in Northfield with their daughter, Mary Jones.