St. John Fisher University Athletics

Known as Father Joe by nearly everyone in the Fisher community, Reverend Joseph Lanzalaco was a fixture at St. John Fisher College Athletic events. Most notably, his presence was rarely unnoticed on the sidelines for nearly every football game, both home and away. A native of Rochester, Father Joe was an alumnus of Bishop Kearney High School, Monroe Community College, and in 1983, St. John Fisher College. After receiving his masters of divinity from the University of Toronto, he was ordained at Rochester’s church of the annunciation in 1987. Following his ordination, Father Joe worked at Adrian High School in Indiana, as a teacher of theology, a women’s softball coach, and as the dean of students. In 2001, Lanzalaco returned to Fisher as the Director of Campus Ministry, and served as a member of the president’s cabinet under former St. John Fisher College presidents, Dr. Katherine Keough and Dr. Donald Bain. Father Joe was visible at nearly every event at Fisher, including the annual Teddi Dance for Love, where he would bless the feet of the participants. Sadly, Father Joe passed away in July of 2015 at the age of 65, leaving a void on the Fisher sidelines as noted by head football coach Paul Vosburgh. Father Joe’s love for St. John Fisher College, his students, and his strong faith, are missed by the Fisher community, but his spirit will live on.