ROSEDALE, MD—The Community College of Baltimore County Essex Knights are mourning the passing of a longtime athletics facilities supervisor.

Marion Joseph “Joe” Sperato passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Monday, February 14, 2022.

Sperato was the CCBC Essex Knight’s longest, current tenured full-time employee. He began his tenure with then Essex Community College in fall of 1989 as a technician in the equipment room. He became highly skilled in all the invaluable tasks associated with the intercollegiate athletic equipment and facility functions.

Greg Witkop, Assistant Director of College Athletics for CCBC Essex (which is located in Rosedale), best describes his contributions, “Joe was a highly valued member of the CCBC Essex Athletics staff for over 32 years. He always worked with a smile on his face and truly enjoyed being a part of the CCBC Essex Athletics Department and its community. Joe took great pride in being a part of the Knights family, and it showed in the way he served our faculty, coaches, student-athletes, and his co-workers.”

From 1994-2000, he also served as an assistant men’s soccer coach for the Knights. During that time, the team won six regional championships, were national tournament participants twice and had numerous student-athletes recognized as NJCAA All-Americans and All-Region 20 selections.

Joe assisted with many important department events and served countless community groups with distinction during this career, most notably with NJCAA national tournaments and the Pete Caringi All-Maryland Soccer Camp hosted by CCBC Essex.

He was a proud, lifelong Highlandtown resident, and Manchester City and New York Yankees fans.

“It was my true honor to see Joe receive a well-earned and deserved promotion to athletic facilities supervisor in 2015,” said Brian Farrell, CCBC Director of College Athletics. “He will deeply missed by the Knights family, but will always remain a part of the important work we do for student-athletes.”

In recognition of Joe’s service to the CCBC Essex Knights, the award for outstanding athletic support staff at CCBC Essex has been renamed in his honor for perpetuity, beginning with this spring’s award.