just want to help the team win as many games as we can.” Said
Joe Anderson in January of 1989, then a sophomore and 40 games into his collegiate career. “It (the school’s all-time scoring record) would be a great accomplishment, but it would feel good to get Saint Francis back on the map of college basketball.”
Mission accomplished
Heavily recruited as a football quarterback out of high school, Mr. Anderson decided on a basketball career at Saint Francis. Four years and 116 games later, “Smokin’ Joe” was a household name in the tri-county area. The numbers speak for themselves: a school-record 2,301 points; 500 or more points in three seasons, including 680 as a senior in 1990-91; and double figures in 111 games.
When recalling Mr. Anderson’s decorated career, the Red Flash faithful will remember a 24-8 senior season, highlighted by the school’s first-ever Northeast Conference championship, a thrilling play-in victory over Fordham and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. It was in opening-round action in the Big Dance that Mr. Anderson scored 29 points, surpassing the legendary Maurice Stokes as the school’s all-time leading scorer. He showed fans across the United States what those in Loretto already knew- this guy can score. Saint Francis was back on the college basketball map.
Saint Francis College is proud to honor Joe Anderson with induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame on this date, Friday, July 27, 2001.
