Sportsmanship, student-athlete, and leadership are some of the attributes displayed by Joe Markiewicz, a two-sport standout at Bartlett High School.

Joe played four years for Indian basketball and baseball teams, lettering in both sports for three years and serving as co-captain in both sports for one year each.

It is recalled that during the 1950 baseball season, Joe compiled an 8-1 record on the mound, the only defeat coming in a 1-0 loss to Worcester Trade in the post-season tournament.

An Al Banks sports cartoon in the May 25 Evening Gazette featured Joe as: “Bartlett High’s ace hurler now has eight for eight (victories) with a specialty of a fast curve.”

While he received much justifiable publicity for his diamond exploits, Joe also was a key player on the basketball team. The team compiled a 13-8 record in his senior year.

His Bartlett High awards included being the recipient of the H.C. Branch Athletic Medal for exemplary achievement and influence in athletics; the 1950 winner of the inaugural Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Award as voted by the student body; and Most Valuable Player of the 1950 baseball team, receiving a watch for that recognition.

While at Bartlett, Joe was an honor roll student and held memberships in the Alpha Club, Student Council, and Executive Committee.

Upon graduation he received a scholarship to Nichols College where he lettered in basketball and baseball.

Joe served in the U.S. Air Force for five years. During his tour he played baseball and basketball on Air Force base teams in Florida and Colorado.

He spent more than 24 years coaching and serving as commissioner of youth basketball in Solon, Ohio. He also served that community as a school board member for 12 years.

Joe and his wife Irene now live in Twinsburg, Ohio.