PHILADELPHIA, PA – Rowan University men's basketball coach Joe Cassidy received the John McAdams Service Award from the Philadelphia Area Small College Basketball Association. The presentation was made at the organization's Senior Banquet and Hall of Fame Induction on Monday, March 23 at the University of the Sciences.
"This year's service award goes to Joe Cassidy," said association president Nate Ware. "He has never missed a luncheon, meeting or a banquet and his streak continues. He has received NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) Region Coach of the Year and this organization's Coach of the Year. Joe has done a really great job at Rowan and is highly respected."
The association's service award is named after public address announcer John McAdams who worked for the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Eagles, Reading Phillies and Wilmington Blue Rocks. He was known as the voice of the Palestra and was inducted into the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame in 2007.
Cassidy has been active member of the organization since he was an assistant coach at Rowan under Dr. John Giannini. He is a loyal supporter and promotes small college basketball and the association among his peers. Cassidy provides younger coaches advice and guidance in the group and assistance to the executive board.
He has coached the Profs for 19 years and compiled a 327-171 won-loss record. Prior to the 2014-15 season, Cassidy was the 51st winningest active coach and 70th all-time in the NCAA Division III. He has led Rowan to four appearances in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament and 15 trips to the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship Tournament.
At Rowan, Cassidy served as an assistant coach for five seasons before taking over the head position. During that time, Rowan won the 1996 national championship and reached the national semifinals in 1995 and 1993. In addition, Cassidy was the athletic academic coordinator and responsible for the NCAA life skills program.
Prior to the University, he was an assistant coach at Drexel University from 1980-91. In 1986, Drexel won the East Coast Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division I Championship Tournament. He was also the head basketball coach at Harriton High School (1979-80) and an assistant at The Haverford School (1976-78).
For the past 14 years, Cassidy has served as the Atlantic District coordinator for the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-America team. From 2006-08, he was on the selection committee for the Collegiate Basketball Invitational All-Star Tournament. In addition, he is a high school baseball umpire with a degree from the Al Somers School for Umpires and is active in the Philadelphia area.
Cassidy graduated from St. Joseph's College (PA) in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in politics and was the Hawks' mascot his junior and senior years. He is a 1970 graduate of Archbishop Carroll in Radnor, PA.