Joe Stark was a member of the Blue Devils Men’s
Basketball team from 1963-1965; setting a national NJCAA scoring
record of 117.4 points per game in regular season play; a record
that still stands today. The Blue Devils ended the season with a
final record of 28 - 3; a feat attributed to Joe’s averaging
over 21 points per game.
Joe was integral to the team defeating Wright College of
Chicago and Canton to win the Illinois State Basketball
Championship (NJCAA Region 4) and advancing to the National Finals
at Hutchinson, Kansas where they placed 8th in the nation.
Joe was the leading rebounder for both years he played at Kaskaskia
College and was a leader in assists. Joe was selected to the
Southern Illinois College Conference All-Star First team and
received All-State Honors in 1963-1964. Joe was
also selected for the NJCAA All-State team in 1965 and set a new
scoring record at the National Early Season Basketball Tournament
held in Garden City, Kansas; garnering the Most Valuable Player
award.
Joe went on to Panhandle State University in Oklahoma and
continued his basketball career while earning an Industrial
Engineering degree. After graduation, Joe worked in that
field with companies like McDonald-Douglas receiving numerous
certificates of proficiency; continually striving to make a
difference utilizing his strong work ethic, team spirit and
attention to detail. In 2010, Joe Stark was inducted into the
Illinois State Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.
