Joseph Alan Worthen Inducted into Nebo Athletic Hall of Fame February 2015

Submitted by lana.hiskey on

Joseph Alan Worthen Inducted into Nebo Athletic Hall of Fame February 2015

During halftime of the Payson High School basketball game, Joe Worthen was inducted into the Nebo Athletic Hall of Fame surrounded by a large group of family and friends in attendance.

Joe graduated from Panguitch High School in 1957.  He played basketball for Panguitch High earning the All-State honors and MVP his senior year.  He also took State in the High Jump.  Joe attended Dixie State, University of Utah and Utah State where he played basketball.  At Utah State, his basketball team placed third in the National Invitation Tournament (N.I.T.).  This tournament was played at Madison Square Garden.

In 1961, Joe graduated from Utah State with a degree in Physical Education (PE) and Mathematics. Joe taught math, coached all sports and drove the bus for Escalante High School. In 1963, he accepted a teaching position at Payson High School where he taught PE and Math for 21 years.  In 1980, he became the Community School/City Recreation Director for Payson City.  After 37 years with Nebo School District, Joe retired.  

During his years as the Payson City Recreation, Joe has organized many youth and adult sports programs.  He was very involved with planning and creating new fields and maintenance of all the parks.  He brought Karl Malone and John Stockton to promote the Jr. Jazz program for youth basketball. During Joe’s time as recreation director, Payson City Recreation received the “Best New Recreation Program” award in 1985 by the State of Utah.  

Since his retirement from Nebo School District, Joe has stayed busy participating at the Senior Games where he has won 10 medals, which 5 of them were gold!  He has 25 years on the fire department and 45 years as a basketball official!  He has served in many church callings.  His family tells us that he quite the “Master Fisherman”.

Joe married Deanna Griever 55 years ago. Together they have four children: Wendi, Richard, Kriss Ann, Russell; fifteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  

On behalf of Nebo School District and Payson High, we induct Joseph Alan Worthen into the Nebo Athletic Hall of Fame.  Thank you Joe for all your hard work and dedication to our community!  

 

 

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Lana Hiskey
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