CWRU Athletics

Since 1968, Joe Prahl has been a fixture at athletic department events as an avid supporter of CWRU’s teams and student-athletes. A faculty advisor for the women’s soccer team, Prahl has recruited, supported and mentored more student-athletes than anyone on campus outside of the coaching staff.

Prahl began teaching at CWRU in the Department of Fluid, Thermal and Aerospace Sciences in 1968 after teaching at Harvard University Summer School. With the exception of a leave of absence as a Visiting Lecturer and Research Fellow at Harvard in 1974 and a leave of absence as a Payload Specialist for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center from 1990 to 1992, Prahl has remained at CWRU, now in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, attaining the rank of professor in 1985 and serving as chair of department from 1992 to 2007.

Prahl earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard in 1963 as well as his master’s and Ph.D. in 1968. As a high school student-athlete, Prahl lettered in soccer, hockey and lacrosse. He was also the starting midfielder for the varsity lacrosse team at Harvard from 1961-1963 and played for the Carling Black Label Hockey Team from 1964-1968. Additionally, Prahl was a player coach for the Case Western Reserve Hockey Club from 1969 through 1978.  He has also played squash recreationally for the past 35 years.

Prahl has two daughters, Erika and Meagan (CWRU ’03), and he was recently wed to Judy Hayes.