Virginia's Joe Palumbo To Be Honored On Saturday

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Oct. 2, 1999

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia Governor James S. Gilmore, III, hasrecognized December 7, 1999, as Joseph C. “Joe” Palumbo Day in theCommonwealth of Virginia. Palumbo, a former University of Virginiafootball standout, will be inducted into the College Football Hall ofFameon December 7.

Palumbo will be honored at halftime of Saturday’s (Oct. 2)Virginia-Virginia Tech football game at the Carl Smith Center, home ofDavid A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium. He was also honoredFridaynight (Oct. 1) at a gathering in Virginia’s Alumni Hall during which aproclamation from Governor Gilmore was read. The proclamation outlinedPalumbo’s accomplishments and recognized December 7, 1999, as Joseph C.”Joe” Palumbo Day in Virginia.

Palumbo, who resides in Charlottesville, lettered three timesforthe Cavaliers as a defensive guard from 1949-51. During those threeseasons, Virginia compiled an overall record of 23-5.

He was captain of Virginia’s 1951 team and earned All-Americahonors that season from The Associated Press and NEA. In 1951, Palumboreceived the Outstanding Defensive Lineman Award from the Touchdown ClubofWashington, D.C., was named the state of Virginia’s Athlete of the Yearandparticipated in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game. He was a three-timeAll-Stateselection.

Palumbo is one of six Cavaliers to have his number (48) retiredandis a member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.

A native of Beaver, Pa., he graduated from UVa with a bachelor’sdegree in economics in 1952. He served in the Army after graduation andwent on to a successful career as an insurance executive.

The National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fameinduction ceremonies are scheduled for December 7 at the Waldorf AstoriaHotel in New York City.