SCOUT
Crown Point, IN
312-623-4744
Joseph@ScoutU.com

Joseph Phillips, who lives in Crown Point, Ind., is a life-long athlete and passionate mentor from the southside of Chicago. He has centered his life around sports since childhood. Growing up in a community where resources were often limited, Joseph found both refuge and purpose on the basketball court. Basketball became a driving force in his life, shaping his work ethic, perseverance and desire to reach the highest levels of the sport.

During his senior year of high school, Joseph suffered a severe head injury during a varsity basketball game, an event that ended his dream of pursuing professional basketball. Yet, the setback only deepened his commitment to the game. As he matured, Joseph’s path shifted toward journalism and business, where he developed into a respected multimedia reporter, sports editor and writer, intermingling a 25-year successful sales career. Over the course of his journalism career, he has produced and written more than 3,000 stories and covered every major Chicago sports franchise, including the Bulls, Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks and Sky. He has worked for major media outlets including WGN News, Comcast SportsNet, the Chicago Crusader, Hyde Park Herald, and Chicago Defender and his work includes coverage of landmark events such as the 2020 and 2024 NBA All-Star Games, the 2005 White Sox World Series title and the 2014 WNBA Finals. He has also interviewed athletes and coaches across the NCAA, NAIA, JUCO, IHSA, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NFL and NASCAR.

Alongside his journalism success, Joseph built an extensive coaching and youth development background. An encourager and natural builder of people, he thrives in environments where he can identify potential in athletes and help them grow. Joseph’s personal mission is “helping athletes reach their God-given potential.” He’s coached several club teams, a semi-pro team and the Columbia College Renegades, where Joseph strategically built and stewarded the team to secure their first-ever competitive victory. He has also served as athletic director for the Boys & Girls Club, lead coach for Hot Shots Basketball Camp, camp director for the Chicago Cubs’ Headfirst Baseball Camp, sports director for the YMCA and physical education teacher at schools across Chicago. In Joseph’s free time, he ministers to youth and gives God all the glory in everything he does!

Joseph holds a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and an Associate of Applied Science in management from Robert Morris University, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in journalism from Columbia College Chicago and an Associates in biblical studies from Midwest College of Theology. 

Through every role — coach, mentor, reporter, teacher and leader — Joseph’s purpose remains the same: to use sports as a vehicle to develop confident, skilled and resilient young people. He is excited to serve athletes and their families as a Scout in pursuit of their dreams to one day become a successful college-level athlete.