Kean University

Known affectionately to generations of students as "The Chief," Joseph D'Angola gave much of himself to Newark Normal School and Newark State College (both now Kean University) from 1918 through 1956, during which time his name became virtually synonymous with athletics at the school.

D'Angola served parts of five decades as the head of the health and physical education department. In 1935, he was also named dean of men at the College.

A complete enumeration of D'Angola's contributions to the athletic department would be far too voluminous to be contained in this format. It is worthy of note, however, that he is the namesake of the prestigious D'Angola Award, presented annually to Kean's outstanding male and female athlete. The award symbolizes athletic excellence and sportsmanship, traits encouraged, developed and cherished by D'Angola.

He served as men's basketball coach for 10 seasons, and also coached two of the greatest female athletes in the history of the University, Camille Sabie Malbrock and Careta Dillenger, and was also an assistant coach for the American team at the first International Women's Sports Meet, in Paris.

D'Angola was responsible for the establishment of numerous varsity sports on campus, including baseball.
In his role as director of athletics, D'Angola stressed widespread participation by everyone, and wouldn't ask anyone to perform a task he wasn't willing to do as well.

D'Angola retired from the school in 1956. In 1958, when the College, then known as Newark State, moved to its current Union Township campus, school officials christened the new indoor athletic facility D'Angola Gym, in honor of "The Chief" and his wife, Anita.