The Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association is proud to announce that Joe Petrocelli of Archbishop Alter High School is the recipient of the 1995 Paul Walker Award. The Paul Walker Award is presented annually by the OHSBCA to an active coaching member of the association who has made significant contributions to high school basketball. The award is named in honor of the late Paul Walker, the long time coach of Middletown High School. At the time of his retirement, he had the most wins as a boys basketball coach in Ohio High School Basketball history.

Joe Petrocelli has been the Boys Varsity Basketball Coach at Archbishop Alter High School since 1964.  His overall varsity record in 31 seasons is 550-157.  He has won a State Championship in 1978, has been Regional Champions four times, has been Regional Runner-ups four times, and has captured 16 District Titles.

His coaching honors include being Ohio AAA Coach of the Year in 1985, the OHSBCA Coach of the Year in 1985, and a nominee for National Coach of the Year in 1985.  Joe has coached in many prestigious All-Star games – Ohio North-South Game – 1975, McDonald’s East-West Game in Philadelphia – 1978, Dapper Dan Game in Pittsburgh – 1979, Derby Classic in Louisville and Lexington – 1980, Ohio Junior Olympic Team vs Russia – 1978.

Coach Petrocelli has serve the Ohio High School Basketball Coach Association in many different roles.  He was District 15 Director from 1973-1988 and served as an officer from 1988-1998, being President in 1992-1994.

Joe has coached many outstanding players at Alter throughout his career.  45 Alter players have received full scholarships.  Two of his former players have played in the NBA – Jim Paxson – Portland Trailblazers and John Paxson – Chicago Bulls.