Utica University Athletics

Pioneer Hall of Fame athlete Joe Pruckno returned to the Utica College track and field program in February 2021 as an assistant track and field coach. He will assist head coach James Lemieux with all facets of the program, including day-to-day operations, scouting, recruiting, as well as meet and practice preparation.

Pruckno is long remembered as one of the early athletes that put the Utica College Track and Field Program on the map, and played an integral role in transforming the program from its humble beginnings, to the regional and national power it is today.

He was the program’s first national qualifier and All-American while competing in the hurdle events. In just two years, he qualified for all four national track and field championships he was eligible to compete in, and was named an All-American with a podium finish in three of those appearances. He finished sixth in the 60 meter high hurdles at the 2012 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships, and was also sixth in the 110 meter high hurdles at the 2011 and 2012 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He closed his career out with a personal best of 14.40 seconds in the preliminaries of the 110 meter hurdles in his final nationals appearance, and later went on to post a 14.54 second finals run for a sixth place finish and All-American honors.

Pruckno was a three time Empire 8 champion and a four time NYSCTC Champion, and was the 2011-12 Empire 8 Indoor and Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year. He still holds school records in the 55 meter hurdles, 60 meter hurdles, 110 meter hurdles, and the 4x100 meter relay. He was mentored by former Utica head coaches Jason Rose and Eric Parker during his time as a UC Athlete.

He was also a decorated athlete at nearby Mohawk Valley Community College, where he was a two-time NJCAA Division III National Champion in the 110 Hurdles. He also qualified for the NJCAA Indoor Championships. 

His previous coaching experience includes nearly eight years as the head varsity indoor and outdoor track and field coach, and head varsity cross country coach at nearby Oriskany Central School. He was also an assistant coach working with the sprinters and hurdlers at nearby Hamilton College for the 2019-20 season.

In addition to his coaching and competing exploits, Pruckno has also devoted his time in service of the United States Armed Forces, as well as in the local community. He served in the United States Naval Construction Battalion, better known as the SeaBees, from 2006 to 2016 in active duty and reserve roles. He has had multiple active duty deployments overseas in Kuwait, and Afghanistan. He also serves the New York Air National Guard as a member of the 224th Security Forces Squadron. 

Pruckno has also established a career in local law enforcement since January 2012. He began as a corrections officer in the Oneida County Sherrifs’ Office Corrections Division, and later transitioned to the Rome Police Department, where he served for over three years. He currently is a member of the Sherrill Police Department.

Born and raised in Rome, Pruckno resides in Whitesboro with his wife Michelle, and their two children.