Hobart and William Smith Colleges Athletics

Joseph N. Abraham served Hobart College in many different functions, from his initial appointment in 1945 until his death in 1981. He earned his greatest acclaim as the school's trainer before becoming the athletic director in 1979. A 1943 graduate of Ithaca College where he also earned his master's degree, Abraham came to Hobart in 1945 as an instructor in physical education. He became director of the physical education department in 1955 and received his full professorship in 1968. He was one of the senior members of the Hobart and William Smith faculty upon his death. His acclaim as a trainer was spread far and wide. He was selected as a trainer for two Summer Olympics, the 1968 games in Mexico City and the 1972 games in Munich, Germany, and also for the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y. He was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 1970, and in 1976 he received the Thomas Sheehan Award for his service among New York State trainers. He was a founder of the Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association and served as the group's secretary and treasurer for over 20 years. He was also a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association and its secretary for 20 years.

Abraham moved into the athletic director position in 1979 after the death of fellow Hobart Hall of Famer Bill Stiles '42. His tenure as athletic director was marked by great growth and continuance of the successful intercollegiate athletic program and highlighted by, among other accomplishments, back-to-back NCAA Division III lacrosse championships in 1980 and 1981. He was presented with the distinguished Alumni Citation by the College in 1968 and was awarded the Statesmen Athletic Association Annual Award for outstanding contributions to Hobart Athletics. On December 24, 1981, the president of the Colleges presented Abraham with an honorary degree of doctor of humane letters.

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