Joi Hazel came to Chowan University in the fall of 2003 after being recruited by then-Scott Groniger. The Newport News, Virginia native is the program's All-Time leading scorer after amassing 1,445 points in her career. Joi came to Chowan when the program was transitioning from NCAA DIII to NCAA DII status and helped to build what would become a successful program for the University's athletic department. Joi was coached by Patrick Mashuda, now the Vice President/Director of Athletics, for three of her four years at Chowan.
"Joi was a gifted scorer and a fierce competitor. She and her teammates set the tone for how we would build the program into a Division II NCAA tournament participant", said Mashuda.
Joi played in 108 career games in the Chowan Blue and White, posting a program high of 1,445 points. She also grabbed 390 career rebounds, dished out 145 assists, and grabbed 145 career steals. In four seasons, she averaged 13.4 points a game and still holds the program record for made field goals with 528. She posted a career-high 33 points in a win over Peace College on 1/27/2005, which tied a single- game record until recently.
Joi received many awards and accolades over her career at Chowan, to include NCCAA All Region, NCCAA All-America, and D3 Hoops All South Region. Joi was named CU's Female Athlete of the Year in 2005.
Joi has used her athletic minded prowess to also advance in the civic world. Currently Joi serves as a Federal Government contractor where she manages and oversees large government contracts in the Mid-Atlantic Region. She has been through several promotions during her tenure with CWResources and was promoted to Assistant Regional Project Manager nearly a year ago. Her day to day consists of helping veterans and the legally blind find employment.
Joi is an avid fitness enthusiast and spends time helping at-risk youth girls in the Alexandria, Virginia Public School System through a program titled, "Space of Her Own". She also volunteers at Bread for Life in Washington, D.C.
Although Joi considers her athletic achievements a great honor, her greatest accomplishment is being the mother of her two children, Jahad, 10, and Jaliyah, 5. Joi and her family currently reside in Alexandria, Virginia. She is an active member of Victory Christian Ministries in Suitland, Maryland.
