The College of New Jersey Athletics

Captain

Since playing his first game with the Lions in 2000, Joe Franzone has emerged as one the squad’s top tight ends after also playing some time for the Lions at quarterback early in his career. He was also a member of The College’s baseball team, and helped the Lions earn a bid to the 2002 College World Series, where they finished fourth nationally.

As a rookie in 2000, Joe saw limited action and was 2-for-2 under center having thrown for 18 yards in the Lions’ season finale win over Kean University. Due to injuries at quarterback in 2001, Joe was once again called into action as a sophomore and threw for 131 yards on the year on an 11-for-15 effort. By season’s end, he was tapped by the Lion coaching staff as the recipient of the Lion Award.

As a junior in 2002, Joe has saw time at tight end and played in every game with 24 catches for 265 yards. He was on the receiving end of the game-winning pass in overtime as the Lions opened their 2002 NJAC schedule with an overtime win over SUNY Cortland. Against Rowan, he threw one pass for eight yards and helped the Lions collect an important first down on the play.

He finished the campaign with a 29.4 yards per game receiving average and hauled in four TD passes as well. His 24 points on the season was tied for third best last fall and helped the Lions average 29.7 ppg, which was second highest in the league a year ago. Tapped for the 2002 NJAC All-Star Second Team at tight end and the ECAC Second Team as well, Franzone also helped the Lions on the baseball diamond in the spring of 2003. A career .343 hitter, Franzone batted .389 last spring and helped the Lions earn a bid to the 2003 NJAC Playoffs in baseball and was named the recipient of the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Coaches Association Senior Award.

Franzone is following in the footsteps of his high school coach at Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Steve Ciccotelli, who also played his collegiate football at the college and was a team captain for the Lions as a senior. Additionally, Franzone’s grandfather is a former star at Holy Cross College and helped the Crusaders capture the 1952 NCAA Division I College World Series.

Year By Year Statistics
Year   G Rec.   Yds.    TD    Att-Cmp-Int    Pct.    Yds.   TD     Long Avg/G Other Stats
2000    6    0        0       0          2-2-0         100.0     18     0         11    4.5     2 rushes, 4 yds.
2001  10    0        0       0        15-11-0          73.3   131     1         20   13.1    2 rushes, 5 yds.
2002   9    24     265     4          3-2-0            66.7    33      1         25     3.7    2 rushes, -11 yds
Totals 25  24     265     4        20-15-0          75.0   182     2         25     7.28   6 rushes, -2 yds.

Personal:  Joe was born on June 4, 1981.