Joe Mulligan was a man of character and service to CPBOA and the athletes and coaches of three PIAA sports. In memory of Joe and his many contributions, CPBOA has named the prestigious Mulligan Award after him. The Joseph Mulligan award is presented to a member of the Central Pennsylvania Basketball Officials Association who has made contributions to the Chapter by assisting new officials, serving on committees, and participating in Chapter activities.

A steelworker by trade who loved golf and officiating multiple sports, Joe Mulligan was a local sports icon. He was a talented baseball player who pitched, played the infield (most notably third base) and served as the Manager of several local sandlot baseball teams.

Joe joined CPBOA and IAABO in 1935 where he rose from working CYO and Recreational League assignments to working PIAA and Collegiate assignments over a 50+ year stint as a basketball official. He was also a tremendous baseball umpire who worked at the PIAA, sandlot and collegiate levels. He was also a PIAA baseball rules interpreter for six years. As an umpire, one his biggest thrills was being named the home plate umpire when baseball hall of famer Sachel Paige pitched in a game at Island Park (Harrisburg).

Although he was an excellent baseball umpire, Joe was also a well-known football official in the Atlantic Coast Football League. But deep down inside basketball was his first love. Joe played basketball locally for the Paxtang Firemen. He helped lead them to a 68 game winning streak before joining another local team that eventually snapped the Paxtang Firemen's 92 game winning streak. He went on to play forward and guard as a professional basketball player in the Tri-County League (forerunner to the Eastern League). He played until about the age of 42, officiated 50+ years and refereed one Pa State High School basketball championship game.