Joseph Kimball's career at the Erie school spanned two decades over two separate stints Joseph Kimball’s career at Mercyhurst University, which spans two decades over two separate stints, soon will come to an end. The school announced Wednesday that Kimball, 65, will retire at the end of the academic year after nine years in his current role as athletics director. Kimball also served as head football coach from 1993-2002 during a career in sports that began in 1984, as head football coach at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, but dates to his days as a promising athlete in Syracuse, New York. Kimball played football and wrestled at Syracuse University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education. He later earned a master’s degree in education from St.
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He held various roles within the City of Erie School District after his initial nine-year tenure at Mercyhurst, including principal at then-Strong Vincent High School. He also served as running backs coach at Gannon University from 2006-08 before returning to Mercyhurst as athletics director, where he has played prominent roles in bringing high-profile events to Erie such as the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four ice hockey tournaments in 2011 and 2021 and the Ice Breaker men’s hockey tournament in October 2018. Mercyhurst has finished among the nation’s top 25 schools in the Learfield Sports/NACDA Directors’ Cup standings the past three years and four times in all. The award is presented annually to the top overall collegiate programs in the country.
Strongest point is the academic experience and critical thinking skills gained. College professors were wonderful and the academic workload is challenging and rigorous.
The small class sizes give the students personalized attention from top notch professors that would be more of a challenge at a larger school. If you are looking for a great academic experience in a small setting, this is the place. I found the social experience great as well, because you really get to know your class and there is plenty of fun things to do in Erie.
If you are looking for a large, big city party school, this isn't the place, however it was perfect for me. It's a small school, so the local employment ties are great, and the links to graduate schools, but it will be not as linked to big city employment on the coasts. I love the feeling I get from the small school community. Everyone is so welcoming and positive.
The professor's are super helpful and understanding with any circumstances you may come across. Classes aren't too long, and there's plenty of time between class to not stress about being late.
The campus is beautiful, and pretty small so it doesn't take forever to get to class. There's so much to do on campus, a lot of scheduled activities and a lot of space and places to just hang out with friends. Overall a really safe campus, I love every part of Mercyhurst!
Mercyhurst University is a smaller school with around 5,000 students currently enrolled. Out of those 5,000 more than 1,000 of students are internationals which adds a lot of diversity to the campus and invites different cultures to learn from each other. With a smaller sized campus the feeling of home is everywhere, among your friends, roommates, professors and even caffeteria staff. Mercyhurst University prides itself with it's beautiful campus which reminds every student of Hogwarts with just aa little bit more flowers! I love this school, and I'm grateful for all the people I've meet and all the knowledge and skills I've gained. I would recommend this school to anyone!