Long Time Hopewell Baseball Coach Passes Away

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 12, 2011 | 12:10 PM

Joe Colella, who was the head coach at Hopewell High School for nearly five decades, passed away Sunday. The cause of death has not been released. Colella finished his 48th year as head coach of the Vikings this past spring.

He had 662 career wins at Hopewell and led the Vikings to WPIAL championships in 1979, 2000 and in 2010. He also guided Hopewell to a PIAA state championship in 1986. Hopewell won 16 section championships under the veteran coach who never shared his age with the media.

Colella also coached Hopewell’s American Legion team for 48 years and has more than 950 wins on that level.

Several years ago, Hopewell High School named their baseball field after the veteran coach, who also was a member of the WPIAL Class of 2011 Hall-of-Fame, with induction ceremonies held three month ago. 

Funeral arrangements are being handled by John Syka Funeral Home in Ambridge.

Tags: Hopewell