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Joe Showker
Class of 1975 Athlete/Contributor  Joe Showker is remembered by long time HHS fans for "The Kick", a 40-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to give the Streaks a come from behind 16-14 win over Spotsylvania for the 1974 Region II Football Championship. Actually, that was Joe's fourth 4th quarter field goal in the last five games of the season, three of which provided the margin of victory in come from behind wins for the Streaks. Joe was a three year letterman in football as an offensive lineman and kicker. The team was a two-time district and regional champion, reaching the state semifinals each time under Head Coach Brownie Cummins (HOF 2008). Joe was named All-District, All-Region, and All-State as a kicker and was chosen three times as the kicker on the All-Roanoke Times Land team.Joe was also a member of Streak tennis teams that won four consecutive state championships, the last three under Coach Jack Smith (HOF 2009). These teams were undefeated in district, regional, and state play all four years. In his junior and senior years Joe played #3 singles and was undefeated in VHSL district, regional, and state matches. Upon graduation from HHS, Joe enrolled at JMU, graduating in 1979. While at JMU, he was a three-year letterman on the football team, a member of the Mortarboard Society, and the recipient of the Johnston Award as the top Physical Education major. After graduation, Joe began a 36 year career in the Rockingham County Public Schools as a Physical Education and Computer Literacy teacher as well as a coach, then as a Instructional Technology teacher. He has become known statewide and nationally for his work developing and promoting standards for digital ethics and internet safety. He is the owner of Showker Enterprises, member of the JMU Alumni Board of Directors and the VHSL Foundation Advisory Board. Joe is a generous contributor to HHS Athletics, especially the Track and Field program. His contributions include the Track and Field set-up, a discus cage, equipment for the teams and ongoing track improvements. Joe is a member of the Virginia State Championship Games Committee and Officials Coordinator for the State group, which has been held annually at Harrisonburg High School. |