A Life in the Game

Nomination of Rad Joseph

(Lacrosse Builder)

To date (2024), Rad Joseph has been a significant lacrosse builder for approximately three decades. He has held various and numerous positions including Team Coach, Team Manager, Team Executive and League Executive. Mr. Joseph has also served lacrosse as a member of Selection Committees for both the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame. He further served both Halls as a member of each of their respective Board of Directors. In addition, Rad Joseph has written numerous stories and profiles for Major Series Lacrosse; the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame; the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame and most recently, the website – Think Lacrosse.

Of note, Rad’s contributions have not been limited to one municipality or organization. He volunteered for Nepean and Cornwall lacrosse associations. Rad volunteered in Nepean at both the minor and junior levels. He spent almost 20 years (1997-2015) coaching and managing teams in minor lacrosse from Novice to Intermediate level lacrosse at both the house league and competitive level (usually two to four teams in the same season). He also coached with the Nepean Junior “B” team (2002-2004).

Rad Joseph was instrumental in bringing OLA Junior “A” lacrosse to Ottawa in the 2005 season. His unrelenting commitment created an opportunity for OLA Zone 5 players to play Junior “A” lacrosse for the Ottawa Titans without having to leave their home community. Rad also led the way to bring a Junior “C” team to Ottawa in 2011.

When Mr. Joseph retired from his career as a federal civil servant, he relocated outside of Ottawa. This led to Rad becoming involved with a second lacrosse organization – the Cornwall Junior “C” Celtics team (2016-2017).

For the period 2018-2022, Rad was a member of the OLA Major Series Media team writing countless stories and profiles which can be found on the Major Series website (www.majorserieslacrosse.ca). The number of articles he wrote approaches 200, helping to celebrate the game of lacrosse and share stories about the game’s characters.

Rad has also written material for the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame - including profile articles on Hall of Fame inductees for inclusion in the CLHOF Induction Ceremony program.

Other organizations who have benefitted from Rad Joseph’s writing are the individual teams - MSL Peterborough Lakers and OLA Junior “B” Clarington Gaels.

Beginning in April of 2023, Rad was a co-creator of a new website called “Think Lacrosse”. Think Lacrosse presents weekly articles and profiles dedicated to promoting lacrosse’s athletes, builders and other contributors; along with presenting critical analyses on the challenges lacrosse faces; and supporting emerging lacrosse associations and communities. You can read Think Lacrosse at the Internet website www.thinklacrosse.ca

I know much of the contributions Rad Joseph has made has been done behind the scene or in the background. A prime example is his work with both the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Along with serving on the Selections Committee for both the OLHOF and CLHOF Fames, Rad Joseph has personally made nominations for over 40 players and builders which has currently led to induction for 30 players and/or builders into various Halls of Fame including the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame, the Peterborough and District Sports Hall of Fame and the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame. He continues to do this work which leads to acknowledgment of the great players and contributors to lacrosse across Ontario and Canada.

Through the years, Rad Joseph is known for having always stepped up and help in various ways. Although he did receive the OLA President’s Award for 20 years of volunteering, Rad Joseph numerous volunteer contributions to Ontario lacrosse has been done with little fanfare. He avoids public acknowledgement of his contributions, including donating money to assist teams and individual players.

In his various roles (as a coach, manager and executive member), over three decades, Rad Joseph has had a positive impact on the lives of countless lacrosse players (think hundreds of minor and junior players). In his various administrative and executive positions, Rad has contributed to organizations, teams and their respective leagues. He has always been willing to share his knowledge and experience with coaches, team and league officials.

It is apparent from years of hands-on involvement in lacrosse as a Builder, Rad Joseph has committed thousands and thousands of hours of his time to help grow the game of lacrosse in Ontario. I know he has made a positive impact on the development and growth of the game, particularly in Eastern Ontario. In addition, Mr. Joseph still remains involved in lacrosse. He is often consulted with, to offer advice and direction for others.

There are only a handful of lacrosse Builders from Eastern Ontario who have been inducted into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame (this is partly because there have not been nominations made for worthy candidates). From my perspective, Mr. Joseph is a very worthy candidate. Having worked with Rad Joseph directly and knowing of his numerous contributions, I submit this nomination recommending Rad Joseph’s countless contributions to the game of lacrosse over an extended period of time, make him deserving of induction into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a Builder or a Special Contributor.

Michael Dube