Wagner College Athletics

A native Staten Islander, given the name Virgil Speroni at birth, he was known to everyone as "Joe Jilts." For 23 years (1971-1993), Jilts served as equipment manager at Wagner College while serving as the kicking coach. To the athletes, he was a father, a mother, a conscience, a disciplinarian, a fan, a coach, a supporter and a confidant, but most importantly, a friend. Jilts retired in 1993 before passing away in 2003 and is remembered each year with a Memorial Golf outing