Voted “Best Athlete” by his graduating classmates
Nation Who’s Who in High School Athletics
Joel Ambrose was one of the best, if not the best athlete at Amesbury High School from 1966 to 1970. Joel lettered in football, basketball and track. The students named him best athlete for the class of 1970. In the Newburyport News he was named best all around most valuable player for the 1969-1970 school year along with Jerry Mondalto and Julia Kulik.
Joel loved competing in sports at Amesbury High School. He loved working out and practicing year-round. He enjoyed the strong bonds and friendships formed with teammates especially working towards the goal of winning and performing at their highest levels.
Joel played Basketball for 3 years and lettered his Sophomore and Junior years. He scored 43 points his Junior year.
Coach Doug Wood Head Football Coach commented:
Joel was one of the premier athletes in Eastern Mass during the late 60’s and early 70’s excelling in football and track. In fact, he was one of the top running backs that I ever had the pleasure of coaching.
Joel felt that Coach Wood had the most impact on him. Coach Wood gave the most emotional and inspirational half time speeches. He taught me toughness, a hard work ethic, a competitive attitude, and to give my best effort in practice. In games, and on every play, Coach kept tabs on me to make sure that I didn’t get in trouble and helped when I did. Coach had that look that accounted for me staying on the straight and narrow most of the time!
In Track, Joel lettered all 4 years and was a Co Capt. his senior year. As a Freshman Joel showed great promise as a sprinter and as a High Jumper. He led the team in scoring his sophomore, junior and senior years. He also led the team to winning seasons. That hadn’t been done since the great Bert Fecteau was the coach. In dual meet competitions he was undefeated in the 100, 220 and High Jump his Senior year. He still owns the record in the 220 at 21.6 seconds. He had the record in the 100yd dash 10.0 seconds, High Jump 6’ 3.5 and was part of a 220 relay team. He was the NEC champion in 220 and High Jump and held the record for these events.
To many, Joel was one of the best football players to come out of Amesbury during the late 60’s. In football he played 4 years and lettered 3 years. He was the leading scorer both his junior and senior years.
Ambrose began his high school career as an End. In his sophomore year when playing against Woburn , he was shifted to a halfback position and rewarded his coach with a dazzling 83 yard touchdown run. Needless to say, he never returned to the end position.
Many outside correspondents felt that Ambrose just had an average Junior year. However, they did not know at the time that he was hampered with injuries. He still made the All-NEC team as a defensive player. In Jack Bowes opinion, a writer for the Amesbury News, Joel was the finest running back in the conference that year, bar none, including Kenny St. Pierre who was named to every all-scholastic team in the state.
Joel had an outstanding Senior year in football.
He led the team in scoring with 94 points. After a game against Swampscott early in the season, Boston College Head Coach Joe Yukica looked at the game and people thought he was looking at a Swampscott player. But after viewing the film he was particularly interested in Joel. In fact, he offered Ambrose a 4 year scholarship to the Heights. With encouragement from former AHS and Syracuse great Murray Johnson, Joel eventually chose a 4 year scholarship to Syracuse University to play football.
Joel’s best game was against Gloucester in a 30 to 28 win. He put on a devastating power display as he scored all 30 points in the win. This game was a highlight for him. He said he had great blocking all day and was ecstatic to score, but even more happy that we won the game.
By the end of the season, he had accumulated a number of awards on the football field. To name a few: Boston Globe second team All Scholastic and Class B Team,
Selected to play in the Harry Agganis All Star Game, Tassinari award recipient
1970 Sunkist High School All American Honorable Mention.
Joel had 22 Touchdowns and 10 PATs in his Football Career.
Local lore maintains that he still holds the record time for scaling to the top of the Josiah Bartlett Statue in front of the library. This record will not be on his plaque.
Congratulations to inductee Joel Ambrose Class of 1970.
