Background
Kearney, Joseph Laurence was born on April 28, 1927 in Pittsburgh. Son of Joseph L. and Iva M. (Nikirk) Kearney.
athletic conference administrator
Kearney, Joseph Laurence was born on April 28, 1927 in Pittsburgh. Son of Joseph L. and Iva M. (Nikirk) Kearney.
Bachelor, Seattle Pacific University, 1952. Doctor of Laws, Seattle Pacific University, 1979. Master of Arts, San Jose State University, 1964.
Doctor of Education, University Washington, 1970.
Teacher, coach, Paradise (California) High School, 1952-1953; assistant basketball coach, U. Washington, 1953-1954; coach, teacher, Sunnyside (Washington) High School, 1954-1957; principal high school, coach, Onalaska (Washington) High School, 1957-1961; principal, Tumwater (Washington) High School, 1961-1963; assistant director, Washington High School Activities Association, 1963-1964; athletic director, associate director, U. Washington, 1964-1976; athletic director intercollegiate athletics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, 1976-1980; athletic director intercollegiate athletics, Arizona State University, Tempe, 1980; commissioner, Western Athletic Conference, Denver, 1980-1995. Honorary chairman Holiday Bowl, 1994, commissioner emeritus, 1994.
President Community Development Association, 1957-1961. Board directors United States Olympic Committee, 1985-1994, chairman games preparation committee, 1985-2001. Member National Football Foundation (court of honors committee, Western Regional Leadership award 1999), National Collegiate Athletic Association, National Association Collegiate Directors Athletics (Corbett award 1991, Administrator Excellence award), Collegiate Commissioners Association (president, award of Merit 1998), American Football Association (Commissioners award 1996, Athletic Director's award 1998).
Married Dorothea Hurst, May 13, 1950. Children: Jan Marie, Kevin Robert, Erin Lynn, Shawn Alane, Robin James.