Hall of Fame
Joe DiFebo was a football player in the true Thiel tradition. A hard Running back from Hazelwood, Penna, he helped lead Thiel’s football fortunes in 1938, 1939, 1940 and captained Thiel’s first undefeated football team in 1941.
After serving four years as a Navy pilot in World War II he returned to Thiel as an assistant coach for Jack Stoeber and had a hand in molding undefeated seasons for the Tomcats in 1946 and 1950.
Joe DiFebo replaced Stoeber as head football coach when the veteran mentor stepped down prior to the 1955 campaign. Two years later he assumed the duties of Athletic Director, once more following in the steps of his college coach. He held both positions from 1957 to 1965.
As a coach, he received his finest recognition as the top small college coaches in the district in 1960. He was named “Small College Coach of the Year”, for his record and second place finish in the PAC. He also had outstanding years in 1955-1956.
Besides his accomplishments as football coach, Joe also had a hand in the expansion of the Thiel athletic program, an expansion came with Thiel’s entrance into the PAC. Through his guidance and assistance, Thiel added wrestling, track, and cross country to its athletic program and later soccer. He also expanded an already excellent intramural program.
