Joe LeMasters was a two-sport standout for Napa High, leading the Indians on the football field and the baseball diamond.
As the Indians’ signal caller, LeMasters was named first-team All-Monticello Empire League Division I, Offensive Player of the Year on the All-County team, Napa’s Offensive Player of the Year and team captain during his senior year. He set a school record for career passing percentage (58 percent) and threw for 1,242 yards with 12 touchdowns his senior year, leading Napa to the playoffs.
“He’s a natural leader with a good work ethic, on and off the field. He was just that person that kids followed. His biggest strengths were his demeanor, just his overall attitude, and how he approached the game. He never got rattled,” said head football coach Jerry Dunlap.
LeMasters was also selected as the Newcomer of the Year on the All-Napa County team during his junior year, after returning to lead the Indians following a broken leg during summer baseball.
As an infielder on the Napa High baseball team, he was named team MVP as a sophomore and first-team All-MEL and All-Napa County, batting .361 with three doubles, a home run, and nine RBI. The senior captain was also listed as a Top High School Baseball Player in the U.S. by Collegiate Baseball. LeMasters went on to play college baseball, earning a scholarship.
His endeavors as an athlete, as well as the classroom, earned him the Hall of Fame’s scholarship in 2003.
LeMasters joins his father, Tom and his uncle, Bob Herlocker in the Hall of Fame. He resides in New Albany, Ohio with his wife, Heather and two daughters Kate (5) and Emily (3).