Induction Speech Video
After his graduation in 1965, track coach Art Hume called
Joseph Wilt “the greatest athlete to ever go through Millersville State College.”
Wilt gained the admiration of coaches and teammates during a career in which some called him a one-man track team. Also a member of the soccer team, Wilt showed tremendous versatility by competing in throwing, jumping and running events. He competed before the NCAA Championships came into existence or he almost certainly would have been an All-American decathlete.
During a four-year career, Wilt established school records in the javelin (215-1 ¾), long jump (22-5), intermediate hurdles (39.0) and triple jump (43-7). In 1964 and 1965 he won back-to-back PSAC titles in the javelin. His winning throw at the 1965 championships established the school record.
Wilt was renowned for his scoring ability at dual meets. Against Susquehanna in 1965—the final dual of his career—Wilt won first place honors in six events and also placed second in the 120-yard hurdles, scoring a record 29.25 points. In the 1965 season alone, Wilt scored 178 points and finished with 418 for his career—both school records.
Wilt earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts in 1965 and went on to teach industrial arts and served as the department chair at Edgar Fahs Smith Middle School before his retirement in 1999. He has participated in the York County Soapbox Derby, Habitat for Humanity and received the 35-Year Service Award from the York City School District. Wilt and his wife Jane are the parents of Steven and Michael Wilt and Crystal DellOrfano, who graduate from Millersville 1985. They also have five grandchildren: Emily, Ella and Chase Wilt, and Jenna and Matthew DellOrfano.
