Day 46: "Joe the Toe"

Joe Aldrich '96 was a surprise star of the storied 1994 team and his achievements that season remain as a testament to him personally and the team overall.

Aldrich came to Columbia from the Sacramento area. At Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, Aldrich was an all-around athlete where at 5-11 and 188 pounds, he still kicked the longest field goal, (47 yards), and caught the longest TD pass, (97 yards), in school history.

Aldrich had a quiet first two seasons at Columbia before getting a chance to start in 1994. He actually had some extensive surgery after the 1993 season and it was questionable he'd be back for junior year. But he battled through it and kept the job.

He first burned his name into Lions fans' hearts when he hit a clutch 35-yard PAT in the season opener against Harvard with 4:55 left in the game to give Columbia a 32-31 lead. (He had to kick the 35-yarder because of a 15-yard excessive celebration penalty on the TD). Harvard rallied to win the game, but Aldrich seemed like a keeper.

The following week, he looked like a major goat as he had two PAT's blocked in a 28-28 tie to Lehigh.

The rest of the season was smoother sailing. Aldrich never missed another extra point in 1994, finishing the season with what's still a single season Lion record of 25. He also went 11 for 14 in field goals. His 58 points in '94 remain the most points by kicking in Columbia history. For his efforts that season, Aldrich made 2nd Team All Ivy.

The team got off to a fast start offensively in 1995, and Aldrich made a lot of key kicks, including what turned out to be the difference in the historic win at Harvard to open the season. But when QB Mike Cavanaugh '96 went down in week 7, the Lion offense also sputtered and Aldrich's total numbers fell. He still made Honorable Mention All Ivy for '95.

Aldrich also distinguished himself as a top student all four of his years at Columbia. He won the 1913 Football Cup given to the player with the best GPA in 1995 and he was a frequent Academic All Ivy.