DeSantis is best remembered as "Joey D" and his role in leading the 1978 Fairfield Stags men's basketball team to a program best 22–5 overall record, a victory over the then #14 nationally ranked Holy Cross Crusaders, and a berth in the National Invitational Tournament.
Coaching career
DeSantis was the fifth head coach of the Quinnipiac University men's basketball team. During his 11 seasons coaching the Bobcats, DeSantis guided the program through the transition from Division II to Division I while compiling an overall 118–188 record. In 2001–02, despite being a #7 seed, the Bobcats reached the Northeast Conference (NEC) championship game in its first-ever NEC postseason appearance. In 1999–2000, DeSantis was named NEC Coach of the Year by CBSSportsLine.com after guiding the Bobcats to an 18–10 mark, their first winning season since 1992–93 and their most wins since 1987–88.[3]
DeSantis now runs the DeSantis Basketball Academy.[4]
Collegiate career
DeSantis attended Fairfield University, where he was an AP All-American Honorable Mention in 1979, First Team All New England in 1978–79 and UPJ First Team All New England in 1979. DeSantis holds the Stags records for most field goals (727) and lifetime free throw percentage (.849, 462–544) and ranks second for career points (1,916) and career assists (622). DeSantis also set the Stags' single season free throw percentage record of .892 during the 1976–77 season which ranked fifth in the nation.[5]
DeSantis was elected to Fairfield University Alumni Sports Hall of Fame in 1985[5] and the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004 for his playing contributions with the Stags.