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Joe Spicuzza Rest in Peace

Remembering Joe Spicuzza

| By: JCUSID
Spicuzza spent 48 years as a teacher and coach, including the last 33 years at NDCL.
On Tuesday, May 16, the John Carroll University and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin communities lost a dear friend.

Joe Spicuzza passed into eternal life after a lifetime of teaching and coaching.

Spicuzza spent two stints at John Carroll before joining the faculty at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin in 1990. Spicuzza spent 33 wonderful years at NDCL and was one week away from retirement.

Spicuzza started at JCU prior to the 1976-77 season as the head women's basketball coach. He remained in University Heights for three seasons, compiling a 41-13 record while coaching Hall of Famers Terry Schaefer and Ramona Francesconi. 

Spicuzza then returned for another 3-season tour of duty as the head women's basketball coach from 1985-88. During his second stint, Spicuzza compiled a 48-19 record. In the first year of PAC (Presidents Athletic Conference) competition in 1985-86, the Blue Streaks went 8-4 and finished third. The following season, JCU went 9-3 and finished third again. In 1987-88, the Blue Streaks went 10-2 and tied Thiel for first place in the regular season standings. The PAC staged a championship game, in which JCU fell to host Thiel, 66-51.

His second stint yielded a 48-19 record. During this time, he also coached Hall of Famer Audrey Warnock. 

Over the course of his six seasons, Spicuzza registered an 89-32 record, good for a .736 winning percentage. That mark stands as the best winning percentage by a coach in program history. 

Joe's brother, Paul, worked for 12 years as an assistant athletic trainer at JCU, primarily working with men's basketball. Paul still teaches in the exercise science department, following his career as the Indians' head athletic trainer. Joe's nephew, PJ, worked for JCU for 2 years as assistant athletic equipment and facilities manager.

Read Spicuzza's obituary here. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, May 23 from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at McGorray-Hanna Funeral Homes of Westlake. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 24 at 10 a.m. at St. Mark Church, 15800 Montrose Avenue.  
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