Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Lem Photography
Joe Sheets Named to Tony Gwynn Community Service Award "Starting 9"
5/7/2025 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
A nine-member finalist group has been announced for the inaugural Tony Gwynn Trophy, honoring NCAA baseball student-athletes who exemplify the Gwynn legacy.
WACO, Texas — Columbia baseball senior pitcher Joe Sheets has been named to the inaugural Tony Gwynn Community Service Award "Starting 9," the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced on Wednesday. The Gwynn Trophy winner will be selected from this group of nine finalists, in a vote by NCBWA board members, select college baseball coaches and national media members.
Sheets has made 11 starts in 2025, recording 43 strikeouts over 52.2 innings pitched. The Wilmington, Delaware, native has been a team captain for the past two seasons and earned the Joseph Allen Award in 2024, which is presented annually to a member of the team who has made the most significant contribution in terms of inspirational leadership, sportsmanship, college loyalty, and service as a player.
Last year, Sheets was a member of the inaugural Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team. Sheets has been a three-year participant in a Walk to End Alzheimer's and Columbia's Inwood Little League Clinic. For four years, he has helped with the canned food drive for the Broadway community and helped cook meals for those in need through God's Love We Deliver. The right-hander is a four-year member of the student-athlete advisory committee.
"Joe Sheets is the perfect representation of what a Columbia baseball and Ivy League student-athlete is," head coach Brett Boretti said. "His accomplishments on the field are impressive and say a lot about his talent as an athlete, but his contributions to the Manhattan community off the field as a leader speak much louder. Joe also gets the job done in the classroom. He has collected accolades for his performance on the field, as well as work in the community and in academics."
About the NCBWA
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Website, www.ncbwa.com
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia baseball, follow @CULionsBaseball on X and Instagram, and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com
Sheets has made 11 starts in 2025, recording 43 strikeouts over 52.2 innings pitched. The Wilmington, Delaware, native has been a team captain for the past two seasons and earned the Joseph Allen Award in 2024, which is presented annually to a member of the team who has made the most significant contribution in terms of inspirational leadership, sportsmanship, college loyalty, and service as a player.
Last year, Sheets was a member of the inaugural Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team. Sheets has been a three-year participant in a Walk to End Alzheimer's and Columbia's Inwood Little League Clinic. For four years, he has helped with the canned food drive for the Broadway community and helped cook meals for those in need through God's Love We Deliver. The right-hander is a four-year member of the student-athlete advisory committee.
"Joe Sheets is the perfect representation of what a Columbia baseball and Ivy League student-athlete is," head coach Brett Boretti said. "His accomplishments on the field are impressive and say a lot about his talent as an athlete, but his contributions to the Manhattan community off the field as a leader speak much louder. Joe also gets the job done in the classroom. He has collected accolades for his performance on the field, as well as work in the community and in academics."
About the NCBWA
Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association's official Website, www.ncbwa.com
Follow The Lions
For the latest on Columbia baseball, follow @CULionsBaseball on X and Instagram, and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ BaseballHighlights: BASE | Columbia 1, Miami 14
Sunday, June 01
Highights: BASE | Columbia 11, Southern Miss 4
Saturday, May 31
Highlights: BASE | Columbia 14, Harvard 6
Sunday, May 18
Highlights: BASE | Columbia 4, Harvard 1 (10 Inn.)
Saturday, May 17
