Earlham College

Joe Balestrieri is considered to be one of the best tackles in the history of Earlham football. An all-Western Pennsylvania high school lineman, he followed high school coach Owen Huntsman ’26 to Earlham. Balestrieri was a four-year starter on both offense and defense from 1937-40 and was co-captain of his senior team. In 1938, he was named to the all-Indiana Collegiate Conference first-team and all-Indiana second-team. A tie with Wabash that season, and a win over the Little Giants the following year, snapped a losing streak dating back to 1903. Also in 1939, Balestrieri blocked an extra point for a 14-13 victory over Rose Poly and extended the Quakers’ five-game winning streak. Balestrieri was an all-ICC second-team selection in 1940. He also lettered as a shot put and discus performer for Huntsman’s track team, and as an outfielder for coach George Van Dyke’s baseball squad. He retired as a contract administrator for the Department of Defense and lived with his wife, Jean ’44, in Alexandria, Va.