In honor of Black History Month, UMPI Athletics is proud to launch a new tradition— highlighting some of the incredible Black student-athlete alumni who have made a lasting impact on our program. Each week in February, we will recognize a different UMPI Athletics alumnus whose achievements, both on and off the field or court, have shaped our history and inspired future generations of Owls.
To kick off this special series, we are honored to feature Jeffrey Joseph, a standout basketball player and trailblazer in UMPI Athletics history. Jeffrey was the first Black student-athlete to be inducted into the UMPI Athletics Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the most dominant players to wear an Owls uniform.
Jeffrey Joseph – Class of 2000
Bachelor of Arts in Business Management
Basketball Achievements:
• Member of the Dominica National Basketball Team
• NAIA II Nation-Wide Leader in Rebounds
• NAIA All-American (Honorable Mention)
• MAC First Team All-Conference
• First Team All-State
• Second Team All-Conference
• All-Tournament Team – Atlantic Coast Tournament
• School Record: Most Rebounds in a Season (1999-2000) – 340
• School Record: Most Career Rebounds (1996-2000) – 887
• Career Points: 1,212
UMPI Honors:
• UMPI Athletics Hall of Fame
• Athlete of the Year Award
• Most Valuable Player Award
Personal & Professional:
• Semi-Professional Basketball (NABL & XBA)
• Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Management, Human Relations, and Insurance
• Jeffrey is married to fellow Hall of Famer Lori (Morrow) Joseph as they have two children, Jahleel and Jamal.
Jeffrey's contributions to UMPI Athletics extend far beyond his records and accolades. His dedication, leadership, and excellence serve as an inspiration for generations of student-athletes to come. We are proud to celebrate his legacy as part of our Black History Month series.
Stay tuned as we continue to honor more incredible UMPI alumni throughout the month!
"It's an honor and a privilege to be the first black athlete to be inducted into the UMPI hall of fame thus paving the way for other black athletes for many years to come. Thanks to the University for such an opportunity," Joseph said.
#BlackHistoryMonth #UMPIAthletics #OwlPride
