Joe Burg

Classroom

Joe is a gifted student, who was a finalist for a Rhodes Scholarship in 2012. He is a dual major in physics and mathematics, while minoring in astronomy. He maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA and is enrolled in Hofstra’s Honors College. Joe has been a Provost Scholar in each of his seven semesters at Hofstra and is a member of Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society, Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Golden Key International Honor Society and Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society. He has also received the Azelle Waltcher Endowed Scholarship for Mathematics, the Homer Demetriou Endowed Scholarship for Mathematics, Karl Friedrich Gauss Award for Excellence in Mathematics and the Phi Beta Kappa Sophomore Book Award. Joe has also been a CAA Commissioner’s Academic Award recipient each season. Joe has had his physics research published and is involved with many ongoing research projects. After Hofstra, Joe will attend graduate school and plans to pursue a career in nanotechnology research focused on clean energy or medical applications.

Character

Joe is a leader on the team. He has been one of the hardest-working players and has thrived in a variety of roles on the team. He began his career as a reliever, but soon was splitting time between the bullpen and the rotation. Joe suffered a serious knee injury while in high school and thought his baseball career might be over. That is when he shifted his focus to his studies. However he did regain strength and range of motion in his knee more than a year after surgery and accepted a scholarship offer to Hofstra, where he along with 17 other freshmen faced the task of rebuilding the Pride program. In their third year together, that class helped the team to a school record 34 wins in 2012.

Community

Joe is highly involved in community service through his participation in Hofstra’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He serves as the baseball team representative and through the group has taken part in numerous outreach activities including: Community yard work, baseball camps, after school programs, Special Olympics, food and clothing drives, hospital visits, charity breast cancer walks, charity whiffle ball tournaments.  He is also active in the campus community where he serves as a physics tutor and teaching assistant. He is also involved with many clubs and organizations, including the Society of Physics Students, for which he served as treasurer. He is also in the Math Club and the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

Competition

Joe has played a major role on the team and its recent success. He has been one of the most-used pitchers on the staff, having made 65 appearances in his first three seasons. He has won seven games and has posted three saves overall. In 2012 he tied for second on the team with four wins. As the 2013 campaign begins, Joe is slated to be the Pride’s opening night starter.