JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | The New Jersey City University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is mourning the passing of Dr. Joseph F. Scott, a 1986 inductee into the NJCU Athletics Hall of Fame. A long-time member of the NJCU faculty and former President of Hudson County Community College, he died on October 21 at the age of 89.
 
A resident of Jersey City, Dr. Scott was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an advisor for his work with the Gothic football and men's and women's equestrian teams from 1965-73.
 
Dr. Scott was instrumental in the formation of the then-Jersey City State equestrian team in 1965 and the club football team in 1966, serving as advisor to both programs.
 
An avid equestrian who bred, trained and owned thoroughbred racehorses, Dr. Scott wrote the Constitution for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) and in 1970 the equestrian team won the National Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Championship. In 1966 the club football team was undefeated (6-0) before being elevated to varsity status in 1968.
 
Dr. Scott served as Associate Professor and Chairman of Sociology at NJCU and later as the Dean of Administration from 1965 to 1970. During a distinguished career in academia that spanned five decades (1948-87), he was an instructor at Fordham University, St. Peter's College and Collegio San Ignacio in Puerto Rico. In 1977, Dr. Scott joined the then-newly established HCCC as the Executive Vice President. He became the President of HCCC in 1981 and served in that capacity until retiring in 1987.
 
In addition to his induction into the NJCU Athletics Hall of Fame, he was the 2006 recipient of the HCCC Heritage Award, Saint Peter's College Order of the Cross Keys and Most Noble Order of the Peacock. Dr. Scott served on the boards of St. Francis Hospital, Jersey City Board of Education, The Hudson County Corrections Oversight Committee and the New Jersey Community College Presidents Association.
 
A graduate of St. Michael's High School and St. Peter's College, he received his master's and doctorate degrees from Fordham University. Dr. Scott was the recipient of a Distinguished Service Medal for his World War II military service during five major battles including the Battle of the Bulge and in 2013 was honored by the French Consulate for his WWII service.
 
He is survived by his sister, Regina Scott and nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dr. Scott's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box  758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
 
Dr. Scott is the second Gothic Knight Hall of Famer to pass away in the last six weeks. Steve Schindler, `73, a 1979 charter member of its Athletics Hall of Fame and one of the greatest men's basketball players in the program's history, died on September 16.