In 1972, Joe Sterrett arrived on Lehigh’s campus ready to play football competitively and to engage in the rigors of gaining a Lehigh education. Upon graduation in 1976, Sterrett joined the Lehigh football staff as a graduate assistant coach and the rest, as they say, is history.
Sterrett will be stepping down from his role as the Murray H. Goodman Dean of Athletics at the end of this calendar year.
“One of the greatest challenges as the longest-serving director/dean of college athletics at Lehigh is knowing when to pass the baton to the next leader,” said Sterrett.
While Sterrett may be hanging up his cleats and closing his locker after 52 years of commitment to Lehigh athletics, he is not walking away from his love of Lehigh. His official last day as Dean of Athletics is December 31, 2024, but he will continue to support athletics fundraising efforts through the Spring 2025 semester.
“Joe has brought outstanding leadership, creativity, strategic vision and growth to Lehigh’s athletic operation as well as an unwavering commitment to the institution, and he has served as an example of what it means to lead with integrity throughout,” said Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble '82. ”He is a visionary, a guiding force not only at Lehigh but also in the role he played in the formation of the Patriot League itself more than three decades ago. There is no doubt that he leaves a legacy that will endure well beyond his time at Lehigh and will serve as an example for others to follow. Generations of Lehigh athletes who have excelled in our programs and gone on to success in life have benefited from all that Joe has done for Lehigh Athletics.”
For 48 years, Sterrett has remained dedicated to the development of young students through sports.
“I have loved working for an institution that embodies and celebrates athletes who are truly representative of the student body,” said Sterrett. “Our athletes compete as hard in the classroom as they do in their sports and have sincere aspirations for making a difference for others in their lives after college.”
According to Sterrett, he and his staff have enjoyed the support of every Lehigh president when it comes to the university’s athletics mission and priorities focused on the learning, personal growth and leadership preparation of the athletes who are part of Lehigh’s programs.
”Joe has hired a staff of exceptional educators who have profoundly impacted the student-athlete experience,” said Susan Troyan, deputy director of athletics, "And it shows. Our athletes have graduated at consistently high rates.”
During Sterrett’s tenure, college sports have seen significant changes at Lehigh, the NCAA and the Patriot League, a league he was instrumental in shaping. One notable improvement is the advancement of women’s sports.
"When I arrived, the second class of women were admitted to Lehigh, and our women’s athletic programs were limited and underfunded," Sterrett recalled.
Since then, there has been a concerted effort to expand opportunities for women.
"In the ‘70s and ‘80s, we worked hard to increase the number of sports available to women," he said.
Lehigh’s leadership and athletic department have since made substantial investments in women’s facilities, equipment, and staff, which has significantly enhanced their competitive opportunities.
"The athleticism and skill in women’s sports continue to reach new heights," Sterrett noted. "Their increased visibility and competitiveness at Lehigh and nationwide are well-deserved."
Sterrett highlighted other key changes in sports, including the year-round nature of the game and the growing impact of technology. Today, coaches use vast amounts of data to assess athletes, with tools ranging from online videos to wearables tracking metrics like heart rate and sleep patterns. Technology also analyzes biomechanics and enhances entertainment through features like instant replay, which raises performance expectations for athletes.
Sterrett noted that when he started, there was no dedicated fundraising for athletics, and gift funding came solely from the development office. Recognizing that relying on tuition dollars alone would limit the ability to attract top scholar-athletes, Lehigh took a proactive approach.
"We established the first annual giving initiative for Lehigh athletics and were among the first institutions to create endowed athletic positions," Sterrett said.
“Only the original Varsity House building, Stabler Arena, Rauch Field House and the first phase of the Goodman Stadium existed prior to Joe’s arrival,” reminded Troyan. “Everything else was open grass fields. Joe raised the resources to build all of our facilities.”
And his vision for Lehigh’s athletic operation went beyond just buildings.
“Joe was just as focused on establishing resources to grow staff, programs, and our athletic aid budget,” said Troyan. “He has secured resources that have significantly enhanced our ability to attract top-tier student-athletes to Lehigh and our athletic programs.”
Over time, alumni and parents have become invaluable partners, significantly contributing to athletics funding, improving training and competition facilities, and offering valuable advice and perspective to the department.
Sterrett said he doesn’t consider achievements during his tenure as Dean of Athletics to be his accomplishments alone.
“Everything we do requires a complete team effort—athletes, coaches, staff, campus colleagues, families of our athletes and alumni are all critically important to any success that is realized.” Sterrett continued, “In many cases, all I did was witness the extraordinary achievements of others.”