Joe is in his sophomore season with Bearcat men's lacrosse. From Ellicott City, Maryland, he attended Cardinal Gibbons HS, where he played four years of lacrosse and soccer and one year of basketball. He received the team MVP award for lacrosse his senior year, was a three-time winner of All-MIAA honors, and was a two-time winner of All-Baltimore honors.

A Business Management major, he was born 6-28-89 and is the son of Kim and Tom Ames.