When someone retires after 40 years of teaching, they often take time to relax, travel, visit friends and family, golf, or any number of your typical retirement activities. But for Joe Boris, typical isn’t in his vocabulary. Instead, Joe spends much of his “retirement” continuing to work with students at State College Area High School in his role as Commissioner of the Intramural Basketball Association (I.M.B.A.), where he has been for nearly three decades.
It is one of the best intramural programs in the nation.
Joe became Commissioner of I.M.B.A. in 1990 during mid-season. He knew the program was important to the students and saw a potential for growth that he wanted to be a part of. “When I took over back in 1990, there were only 48 players and eight teams. I built it up to where it is now,” says Joe. Today, the I.M.B.A. has 270 players making up two divisions of 12 teams each. The reputation that Joe created for the program is far-reaching. “I think it is one of the best intramural programs in the nation,” he proudly remarks. “I even receive calls from other schools, both in and outside of our state, asking how I run the program.”
Dedicating a significant amount of time to I.M.B.A., Joe puts much effort into the details of running the program. “It really is a lot of hours on the court and doing all of the team and individual statistics,” he says. But Joe recognizes the value to the overall morale of the students. “The two tournaments culminate with a championship game played in front of the entire school. I.M.B.A. allows the students to create bonds with each other and have ownership within the program,” he says.
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As Commissioner, Joe is able to continue mentoring the students at SCASD, a responsibility he knew was important to him since he was a child. “I grew up in St. Clair, a small anthracite coal region town in eastern PA. After graduating high school, I went to a series of prep schools for the U.S. Naval Academy. But, ever since the 5th grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher,” he explains. Joe credits one of his teachers with putting him on that path. “The motivation to become a teacher came from Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, my 5th grade teacher. In fact, I always said a prayer for her before each school year began, thanking her for her encouragement.”
After graduating from Penn State University, Joe began his teaching career at State College Area School District, where he remained for the next 40 years. There, he taught almost of all of the Social Studies subjects for the sophomore, junior, and senior classes. Shortly after he started at SCASD, Joe also added Sociology to his class schedule.
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While in college, Joe met and married his wife, Stephanie. Together, they have a son, Stephen, who graduated from SCASD in 2008 and Bloomsburg University. When he is not on the basketball court, Joe can be found spending time with his family, including their three Shih Tzus, Annabelle, Jezebelle, and Isabelle. Joe also enjoys gardening, following sports, and reading history and sociology.
For Joe, the decision to retire wasn’t easy, but he knows it was the right one. “I just felt like it was time for someone younger to take over the helm.” But retirement from teaching hasn’t stopped his passion for learning and sharing his knowledge with today’s youth. His involvement with I.M.B.A. will continue and Joe encourages all students to set their own path and follow their own dreams. “Go after what YOU want. Don’t follow someone else’s dream of what they want you to be. I am so happy that I followed my dream.”
