Kutztown University Athletics

Joe Villiano, Class of 1953, who played in every game for Coach Joe Patton, started as halfback, but the next year played fullback. In his senior year, the coach asked him to fill in at quarterback. Additionally, he was the PAT, kickoff and punting specialist. He played six years of semipro ball as a tailback with the Roseto Redskins. Villiano, 327 Falcone Ave., Roseto, left high school in the 10th grade to help support his family. At 18, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving 4 ½ years. After his discharge from the Navy, he received his high school diploma at Moravian Prep School, Bethlehem. He was 24 years of age when he entered then Kutztown College. Prior to playing with the Golden Bears, Villiano played semipro football. He had an offer to play with the University of Wisconsin in the same backfield with Alan Ameche, but Villiano decided to go to Kutztown State, graduating in three years instead of four. He also played varsity tennis at Kutztown. The two-way football player was co-captain his senior year. Villiano graduated with a degree in secondary education, with majors in Spanish and social studies. Presently, he teaches Spanish at Wilson High School, Northampton County. He has a master’s degree in education and history from Lehigh University. He coached boys’ tennis for 21 years at Wilson and still coaches girls’ tennis. He himself still plays in senior circuit tennis tournaments. He started coaching in football and basketball at Pius X of Roseto in 1954-56. At Wilson, he had been assistant coach in football four years and one year as freshman basketball coach. Villiano and his wife, Ann (Scagliotta), formerly of Stroudsburg, have four children: Joe Jr., Matthew, Stephen, and Karen.