Hall of Fame
Joe Mattis '69 was the 2017 Distinguished Service Award recipient. Mattis' relationship with Gannon lasts over 50 years and began as a student from 1965-69. His contributions to the University and Athletics Department on a volunteer basis have been numerous.
The Erie, Pa., native has been a volunteer photographer for the University's Sports Information Office for more than a decade, contributing thousands of action photos that are used on the Gannon Athletics website. Mattis has also been the official photographer at several PSAC championship events held at Gannon, providing game photos to Gannon, visiting teams and the league office.
Mattis has served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Gannon women's golf team since 2013. He also took over the head coaching duties on an interim volunteer basis twice when the University was searching for a new head coach.
A longtime Gannon supporter, Mattis has helped the University in numerous fundraising efforts. In 2015, he conducted a "Row for Dough" fundraiser for the Bud Elwell Golf Simulator that resulted in contributions of more than $1,000. Mattis has spent time as a phone volunteer for the University's annual giving fund and traveled with Advancement Office personnel to several "Taylor on Tour" alumni events to help document the events with contributed photos.
Mattis' long list of volunteer efforts with the University includes time with the 2014 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Elite Eight Committee, Gannon Athletics Hall of Fame Committee and Mid-Knight Pancake Breakfast. He served as the public address announcer at Gannon basketball games in the early to mid-1980s. Over the years, he has also been the official scorer, statistician and clock operator during basketball games. Additionally, Mattis has been the public address announcer for several other sports including football, soccer and volleyball.
