College
University of MarylandDeckman attended Bel Air (Md.) High School and entered the University of Maryland in 1927, graduating with a BS degree in civil engineering in 1931. While in high school he ran on the track team and was a member of a relay team which set a county record. He also pitched on the softball team. Joe participated on a Bel Air town basketball team in 1926, but he ceased playing all other athletics due to illness.
While at Maryland, Joe won freshman letters in basketball and lacrosse; he played three years of varsity lacrosse, winning letters in his junior and senior years; played two years of varsity football, winning a letter as a tackle in his senior year. In lacrosse in his senior year (1931), he was unanimous selection for position of Point on the Spalding Official All-America lacrosse first team. He was named defense captain of the Baltimore American Newspaper All-American Team in 1931. Joe was selected as Best Bet on the Sunpapers All-Maryland Team in 1931. Joe was voted best senior athlete, Class of 1931 at the University of Maryland, and selected as a member of the 12-man University of Maryland all-star lacrosse team. He was awarded the Charles Linhart Athletic Acheivement Ring in 1931. He was voted captain of lacrosse at the end of the 1931 season, and he served as president of the senior class.
He assisted as a volunteer coach for defense at Maryland in 1932, and in 1933, he coached an undefeated Maryland freshman team. From 1933 to 1956 he scouted off and on for the lacrosse team. In 1932 Joe played quarterback for the unlimited class Champion Mohawk A.C. Football Team of the District of Columbia.