NCSA Recruiting

Joe Calendo, Recruiting Coordinator

Judson University

[email protected]

(312) 579-2569

My family and I have lived in Arizona for nine years. Previously, we lived in Central Illinois for eight years, but I grew up in Chicagoland. I am a die-hard Chicago sports fan! I love the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, and Cubs. My wife, Tanya, and I enjoy our time with our three sons, Joe (20), Josh (18), and Jake (15). I’m passionate about helping high school students reach their athletic and career goals. I work hard to get to know the unique qualities about each student and I’m excited to offer them the guidance and valuable resources to help them reach their dreams.

I understand what it means to be a high school athlete, but I didn’t get the guidance that would have made the difference for me in college. I graduated from Hoffman Estates High School where I also played football as an offensive and defensive tackle where I started both ways. I started college years later and received my B.A. in Human Services from Judson University in 1998. By this time, I had a much better understanding of the opportunities for athletes in college and I was an athlete at Judson University as a member of the cross-country team. During my two years on the team, Judson won two conference titles and I received the Coaches Award my first year. My personal best for the mile was 5:20 while at Judson. Since my days at Judson, I ran three marathons with my personal best times were: half marathon 1:29:13, full marathon 3:23:02.

I earned my teaching certification from Trinity International University in 2003 and my master’s degree in counseling from National Louis University in 2006. While attending those two universities, I worked as a crisis counselor, mentor, PE teacher, Director of Guidance, school counselor, and coach. I have seventeen years of experience as a school counselor. In 2014, while working as the Director of Guidance at Warrensburg-Latham High School I was awarded Educator of the Year for the Macon County school district in Illinois. In recent years, I have worked in higher education at Ottawa University in Surprise, Arizona as an Enrollment Advisor and as the College and Career Counselor at Gilbert Christian High School, Queen Creek High School, and Valley Christian High School.

I am an experienced coach and believe that hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard. Over the years I coached travel baseball teams and basketball teams. I have experience coaching high school teams in cross-country, football, and baseball. I also started a cross-country program at a middle school and coached that team to a state meet. Currently, I am coaching a middle school baseball team.

Making the transition from high school athlete to college athlete is made easier when there is someone in your corner, being your advocate and guide. Which is why I’m excited to join NCSA so I can help student athletes DREAM big and reach their personal goals!