William Paterson University Athletics

The Pioneer of Distinction is given to an individual who was a student-athlete at a time when the structure of athletics, and the awards available, were different (for instance, no conferences), and/or documentation was not readily available. 

The first Pioneer of Distinction was honored at the 2025 William Paterson Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Pioneer of Distinction Honorees

William Joosten '66, MA '69 (honored Jan. 25, 2025)
Joosten was a three-sport student-athlete and eight-time letterwinner at Paterson State College (1962-66), playing four seasons of baseball, three of basketball and one of soccer. On the diamond, he was a co-captain and team MVP as a senior, playing every position except catcher while a Pioneer and registering an 11-3 career record on the mound. He was a three-year basketball starter, electing not to play as a senior due to his student teaching commitment, and was a co-captain while often drawing the team's toughest perimeter defensive assignment. Joosten also joined the soccer team as a senior and was the team's second-leading scorer while playing the sport for the very first time.