Hobart and William Smith Colleges Athletics

Considered the father of Hobart lacrosse after introducing the sport on campus in 1897, the Reverend Joseph A. Leighton LL.D. '13, coached the Statesmen for nine years before handing over the reigns in 1906. Acting not only as the head coach, but also the team’s star player, he led Hobart to its first winning season in 1902 with an 8-7 record.

Leighton was also the College’s chaplain and a professor of philosophy until 1910 when he left to become the Head of the Department of Philosophy at Ohio State University until 1941. During his years there, he authored numerous articles and a number of books on philosophy, religion, education, and ethics.

Born in Orangeville, Ontario, the professor held a bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, Toronto, and earned a doctorate degree from Cornell University in 1891. Five years later, Leighton earned his STB degree from the Episcopal Theological Seminary at Cambridge, Mass.

An active member in the science community, Leighton was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the American Psychological Association, and the American Association of University Professors. Leighton also was a member of the program committee of the International Congress of Philosophy in 1926, and acted as the President of the Western Division of the American Philosophical Association from 1937 until 1938.

Hobart honored the professor with an honorary degree in 1913, for his leadership in the classroom and on the lacrosse field. Leighton was awarded an honorary degree from Ohio State in 1948. He passed away on May 19, 1954.