Concordia-St. Paul Athletic Hall of Fame
A versatile and dynamic athlete, Joe Mapson helped transform Concordia football in his three years as a Golden Bear, with the program producing a 24-8 overall record including a 20-8 mark in conference with three straight third place finishes in the Northern Sun. Prior to Mapson’s arrival to campus, Concordia had spent just one season at the Division II level and in the Northern Sun, posting a 2-8 record and eighth place finish in the league.
A native of Champaign, Illinois (Champaign Centennial High School), Mapson was a three-time All-NSIC performer at multiple positions. After earning All-NSIC honorable mention in his first year in 2000, he would be an All-NSIC Second Team wide receiver in 2001 and an All-NSIC First Team kick returner in 2002.
He was an All-Region First Team selection by d2football.com and named the All-American Bowl All-Purpose Offensive Most Valuable Player.
His name is still featured prominently in the Concordia football records, holding the single game records for most receptions (12) and receiving yards (241), both against Minnesota-Morris but in different games.
He finished his career with 140 catches for 2,293 yards 21 touchdowns and currently ranks eighth for career catches, fourth in yards and sixth in touchdowns. When his CSP football career concluded, he held the record for receiving yards and was second in both receptions and touchdowns. He also holds the single season record most punt returns with 25 in the 2000 season.
In addition to his receiving totals, Mapson accumulated 350 punt return yards on 36 career returns with a touchdown, had 1,236 yards via kickoff returns at a 28.7 average with another touchdown and 3,901 career all-purpose yards with between 1,237 and 1,347 each of his three years.
As a receiver, he had at least 40 catches each season and went from 573 yards in 2000 to 836 and 884 in his final two years while hauling in 11 and eight touchdowns, respectively.
He competed for two seasons alongside his twin brother, Joseph, a fellow 2019 CSP Athletic Hall of Fame inductee.
He earned his degree in early childhood education (child learning & development) in 2005 and has made his home in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wife, a CSP alum Whitney and their two children, Johanna and Kipley.
He continued his football career at the semi-professional level in Utah in the Rocky Mountain Football League for the Wasatch Revolution where he was a five-time league champion across his 11 years with the team, recently retiring after three-straight championships.
Joe is a general manager for Big 5 Sporting Goods, a corporate chain store in the area
