In the words of Brockton’s legendary XC/Track coach Harry Allen, “I first realized how much Joe wanted to win when at a Freshman Sophomore cross country meet, Joe was doing really well and upon entering the shoot, a competitor tried to pass him. Joe’s ‘Hip-Check’ sent the boy flying along with a red flag by the official and Joe was disqualified. Harry had to have a talk with his young rising star and that’s when Coach Allen introduced Joe to the 5 C’s. “Commitment—Courage—Confidence—Character—Class! It will become quite clear to you that Joe would listen to Coach Allen and would follow those tenants his whole athletic career. When Joe was in the 7th grade his dad noticed a lump on his foot while at the beach. They went to the doctors and had the lump removed. It reappeared the next year and ended up having to remove the toe next to his big toe at which time the surgeon told him he would most likely have difficulty walking and running would be a no go. That didn’t stand too well with Joe, and in an effort to prove the doctor wrong went out for Cross Country and winter and spring track. The tumor came back in his junior year and had to miss most of his spring season. Not only had it come back but it was then that the doctors told him he was going to have his foot amputated. This was not an option for Joe at this time and he told them it would have to wait. Incredibly, Joe came back that summer and competed in the Suburban League Championship and the summer Junior Olympics. He was committed to running his senior year in high school. Joe was able to accomplish 2/3 of his senior year. After a competitive Cross country season, the indoor season loomed ahead. Joe had some big plans. At this point Bill Jennings had taken over the coaching reins of the Brockton track program. According to Coach Jennings, “Joe would NEVER let you know how much pain he was in. Once he admitted to me that he was in a little pain, but I just knew it wasn’t a little but a lot of pain. But Joe would not quit.” Not only would Joe not quit, he went on to an unbelievable indoor season. It started with a 1st place in the Falmouth Invitational 1000 yard, followed by a 1st place at the Boston Holiday Classic in the 1 mile run. A huge win would next come at the prestigious Dartmouth Relays in the 800m in a PR time of 1:54.0. Other placements that season were a 4th place Brown Invitational 800m, and a 2nd at the State Coaches 1000 yard in a time of 2:17.0. Then it was on to the championship season. Joe would win the Class A mile in a PR time of 4:24 and would finish 3rd in the All State Mile. Joe would run one more race in his high school career. This race would go down in Joe’s life as the most memorable one ever. Joe went on to WIN the New England Championship 1 mile run with a time of 4:26.7. You see, 3 months later Joe would have his lower right leg amputated. For many this would be the end of a career. But not for Joe. After a few months recovery, he was right back at it. He approached Coach Jennings and asked if he would help him train as a paralympian. Coach Jennings relates this story to show Joe’s determination. “During one workout the strap on his prosthetic leg came undone and he fell to the track, he immediately got up, adjusted the strap and went back to practice! Joe worked hard and adjusted ot his “new Leg” and focused on the national meet in Atlanta which was the Paralympic Qualifier. Again, determination and hard work including setbacks, changes in routine and numerous outside ups and downs, did not deter Joe, he kept his focus. Joe would go on qualify in Atlanta and would go on to Barcelona Spain where he won a Gold Medal in the 400 meters with a time of 58.85. His next major competition was the World Championships in Birmingham, England. He would then compete 4 years later in the Paralympics in Sidney, Australia and get a Bronze medal in the 800 meters. During his career, he would also hold the World Record in the 800m. In total Joe won 10 National titles. Over a span of 8 years he placed in every International meet held across the globe. His PR’s include a 400m time of 55 seconds, an 800m time of 2:09 a 1500m time of 4:34, a 1 mile time of 4:55 and an 18’6” long jump which at the time was 2” off the world record. Joe’s favorite quote is, “Inclusion, as a core value, makes our lives more meaningful when everyone is fully involved, accepted, and respected”! Coach Allen was right, “Commitment—Courage—Confidence—Character—Class are the trademark of Joseph LeMar.
Class: 1990 Inducted: 2014