Arrigoni Hall of Fame
Joseph A. Bernardi was a standout performer on the basketball court during his time at Iona College which included the 1955-56, 1956-57, and 1957-58 basketball seasons. Regarded to as "Jumping Joe" by the basketball community, Joseph joins the Iona College Goal Club Hall of Fame as the 26th Iona College Men's Basketball player or coach to receive the ultimate athletic honor bestowed by the College. Joseph's time at Iona took place under the leadership and coaching guidance of the late Jim McDermott.
Joseph was the second Men's Basketball player in Iona College Athletics History to reach the 1,000 career point mark. In 1958 when Joseph concluded his impressive campaign as a Gael only the great Richard Guerin '54 stood ahead of him on the all-time career scoring list. (1,375) Joseph currently ranks 30th all-time in scoring with1,029 points.
Joseph led the Gaels in scoring during his three seasons in Maroon and Gold. In addition, he was the team leader in field goal percentage during the 1955-56 and 1956-57 seasons with .450 and .460 percentages. Joseph was also at the helm in free throws percentage during the 1955-56 and 1956-57 seasons with .725 and .661 percentage of free throws made.
On December 18, 1956, Joseph scored 30 points in a match-up against Hofstra. Following up that great performance, Joseph scored 34 points on January 5, 1957 against Xavier. The 34 point burst ranked him fourth all-time behind Richard Guerin's 40, 38, and 36 point games in 1955 and 1954. During his 1957-58 senior campaign Joseph helped guide the Gaels to an 18-6 overall record.
During the 1956 season Joseph made 166 free throws. At the time this ranked him second all-time, only eleven behind the current leader Richard Guerin (177). Similar to his free throws attempts, Joseph ranked second all-time in 1956 with 229 attempts. Currently Joseph stands sixth all time in the single season records for free throws made and free throws attempted. In addition Joseph currently ranks eighth all-time in free throws attempts (547) and tenth all-time in free throws made (377).
Joseph was born on September 13, 1932 in the Bronx, NY and passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at the age of 75 at Lawrence Hospital. Joseph enjoyed a career as the proprietor of JAB Electronics. He is survived by his wife Barbara (nee Yoli) Bernardi who resides in Yonkers, NY. Joe was a devoted father of Denise & Brendan Healy, Marc (and the late Donna Bernardi) Seedorf, Diane & Joe Belkevich and Joseph & Lorraine Bernardi. Loving grandfather of Christopher and Kerri Healy; Lauren, Marc and Alison Seedorf; Victoria, Danielle and Joey Bernardi, and Alana and Ashlee Belkovich. He was also predeceased by his brother Paul Bernardi.
