Joe Vila

Joseph Spencer Vila (September 16, 1866 – April 27, 1934) was an American sportswriter and editor. He has been regarded as one of the most influential sportswriters during the first third of the 20th century, while setting fundamental changes in sports coverage during the decades to come.

Biography

Vila attended Boston Latin School, where he learned to play baseball and football, and entered Harvard College from 1886 to 1887 and the Harvard Law School for a brief time. During his stay at Harvard, he instantly became a member of the football team, and in the following spring joined the baseball team. His individual statistics in both sports assured him a regular position on the varsity teams the following year, but he left college to go into business.

After leaving Harvard, Vila went to work on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad as a brakeman and baggage smasher.

Vila became sports editor of The Sun in 1914. In addition to baseball, boxing, football and horse racing, he also covered yachting and rowing.