Friday, April 27, 2001
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Retired Westminster College football coach Dr. Joseph B. Fusco was one of seven individuals selected for induction into the Divisional (non-NCAA Division I) Class of 2001 of the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. The 2001 induction class will be enshrined during ceremonies at the Hall of Fame Aug. 10-11.
Tenure: Fusco coached at Westminster from 1972-90, posting a record of 154-34-3 (.814 winning percentage) and leading the Titans to four NAIA Division II national championships (1976, '77, '88, '89).
His career winning percentage ranked second in the nation among active NAIA coaches with at least 10 years of experience.
"The entire Westminster College community takes great pride in Dr. Fusco's many accomplishments, both on and off the field," said Westminster president R. Thomas Williamson.
"We congratulate Joe and his family on this well-deserved honor."
Fusco is the third person in school history to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
His predecessor, Dr. Harold Burry, was inducted into the inaugural divisional class of the Hall in 1998.
A 1960 Westminster alumnus who was an all-state selection and two-time all-district honoree at offensive guard playing for Burry, Fusco began his coaching career at Wilmington and Grove City high schools.
He posted a record of 55-14-3 before joining Burry's staff as offensive line coach in 1968.
After four years as an assistant, helping Westminster to a 30-5-1 record and the inaugural NAIA Division II National Championship in 1970, he succeeded Burry.
He led the Titans to nine NAIA playoff appearances and 15 top 20 rankings.
Westminster was a combined 21-1 while capturing the 1976 and 1977 national crowns.