Joel Neal Horn (2023)
About Joel Neal Horn
For three years Joe Neal Horn wore the blue & gold of the Tigers of Waynesfield-Goshen High School as a two sport athlete in Track & Field and Football. During his freshman year he was homeschooled and did not compete in any OHSAA events, but that all changed in 2003-2004 when Joe began a highly successful three year high school athletic career. According to his high school Track & Field Coach, Jim Epperly, Joe was a very confident athlete who believed in his abilities and was always looking the next challenge. Joe won 9 medals in a 3 year career, 6 gold, 1 silver, 1 - 4th place and 1 - 7th place medal at the Division III State Track & Field Championships. In 2004 he placed 2nd in the 300 Hurdles, in 2005 he placed 1st in the 100 Meter Dash, 4th in the 300 Hurdles and 1st as a member of the 4x400 Meter Relay. However, what Joe is best remembered for happened during his senior year when he individually captured the individual sprint triple (100-200-400) and anchored a Division III State meet record 4x200 relay. Joe’s 400 Meter Dash of 47.64 also established a DIII State meet record. Joe is one of six athletes to accomplish this since 1980 and one of only three athletes to accomplish this in the last 34 years. He is the only athlete besides Chris Nelloms, of Dunbar High School, to win gold in four running events at a single state meet. Joe also carried his team to the 2006 DIII State Track & Field Championship having a direct hand in 40 of the 51 team point total. Joe graduated and began his dual sport collegiate athletic career at Ashland University in Football and Track & Field for legendary Track & Field Coach Jud Logan. Joe individually competed in the 100 M, 200 M, 400 M and Decathlon (setting an Ashland University Freshman record) while at Ashland. He was a 12 time Track & Field All-American in the 100, 200, 4x100 and 4x400. He was a three time GLIAC Athlete of the Meet while helping Ashland win four GLIAC Track & Field team titles. In 2009 Joe was the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Men's Midwest Region Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year and GLIAC Indoor Men's Track Athlete of the Meet. Joe also earned multiple All-GLIAC Football honors along with setting many of Ashland’s receiving records for most career receiving yards (2,681) and touchdowns (28), as well as the program's two longest receptions (both of 96 yards) that he still holds. In 2011 Joe was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as a wide receiver. Joe is currently the wide receivers coach for the NCAA Division I Eastern Tennessee State University Football program in Johnston City, Tennessee. Joe was inducted into the Ashland University Hall of Fame for Football and Track & Field in 2021. The athletic accomplishments of Joe Neal Horn are many and amazing. The OATCCC is proud to welcome Joe as an inductee into the 2023 OATCCC Hall of Fame. Congratulations Joe!