Joseph Mottola
Sport: Basketball (inducted: 1983-84)

Joseph Mottola, who led Lafayette to its first post- season basketball playoff victory, is one of the most honored individuals in the College's rich athletic history. He received the Pepper Prize, symbolic of the "College's ideal," and the Class of 1913 Trophy as the top senior scholar-athlete. And on the court, he was the only player ever to serve as co-captain for three seasons.

He was the 12th player to score 1,000 points and currently ranks 29th on the all-time scoring list with 1,040 points. He averaged more than 10 points a game in each of his varsity seasons, but the hustling Mottola was more noted for his ability as a playmaker. He led the team in assists throughout his career and averaged more than five assists per game as a senior. It was Mottola's free throw with :03 left which lifted Lafayette to a 72-71 victory over Virginia in the first round of the 1972 National Invitation Tournament. In that game, the Leopards trailed 71-69 in the final minute before Mottola passed to Walt Kocubinski for the tying basket and then stole Virginia's in-bounds pass with :07 left which led to his game-winning foul shot.

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