Joe Battista is a 1983 graduate of Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, was an original member of the Lion Ambassadors, and Captain of the Penn State Hockey team. He is currently the Owner of PRAGMATIC Passion Consulting. He was Vice-President of Hockey and Business Administration for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL from 2013-2015. He also worked for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL from 1982-1985. For 26 years, from 1987-2013, Battista served in several capacities at Penn State including: Associate Athletic Director for Pegula Ice Arena & Hockey Development. He was instrumental in facilitating the largest gift in Penn State University's history, an $88 million donation from Terry and Kim Pegula which eventually grew to $102 Million. Major Gift Officer for the Smeal College of Business Executive Director of the Nittany Lion Club. He received the Ridge Riley “Lion's Pride Award”, to recognize exemplary Penn State spirit in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations. Penn State Ice Hockey Head Coach for 19 years where his teams earned 512 wins and 6 ACHA national titles. He is a member of the American Collegiate Hockey Association Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame , and the Penn State Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2014 he received the Prestigious Lou Lamoriello Award from the American Hockey Coaches Association for growing the sport of College Hockey.

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