Eastern Athletics mourns the loss of Joe Tatta '55. 

Joseph Tatta, age 88, retired educator and coach, died peacefully at home on May 7, 2022.   Joe was a pillar in the Philadelphia-area for his lifelong service as educator and coach to hundreds of children and soccer families in the community.  He is survived by his children – Jo, Drew, Sue and Ben, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  His beloved wife Carol passed in 2012.

Joe was inducted into Eastern's Hall of Honor in 2013, and until recently served as an active member of the Hall of Honor Committee. 

"It was an honor to serve alongside Joe," Athletic Eric McNelley said. "He loved this University, he brought his passion for the school and athletics to every meeting. More than probably anyone I have encountered, he had a sense of the history of this place. He will be missed."

Joe Tatta came to Eastern before there was a soccer team. While at Eastern, Tatta supported all of Eastern's athletic teams, and as editor of the school newspaper, he ran contests to name the mascot and choose school colors. He served as the publicist for Eastern's athletic teams while he was here and for the years immediately after graduation.

Over the years, he served Eastern faithfully in many capacities and was active on the Alumni Council.  In 1971, he was named Eastern's Alumnus of the Year.

After graduation, Tatta had the chance to work with young men as a coach in the game that he grew up with as a child in Italy. His 250 wins as the coach at The Haverford School are the most by any coach in the 112-year history of the program. He was a founding member and Hall of Fame inductee for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association and has worked within the local soccer community in many capacities.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Memorial event that will take place at 11am on June 18th at McInnis Hall Auditorium at Eastern University, St Davids, Pa. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made the Carol and Joseph Tatta Memorial Award at Eastern University by clicking here.  Select the "Tatta Award" in the drop down menu under designation.