Joe Hatchett was the first Black wrestler in University of Northern Iowa history to earn All-America honors and the first Black national champion and All-American in any sport at North Iowa Area Community College.

He began his college career at North Iowa Area Community College and became the school's first Black national champion and All-American in any sport when he went undefeated and won the national junior college title in 1970. He repeated as national champion and was named outstanding wrestler of the national tournament in 1971.

Hatchett transferred to UNI and in his first season he won the North Central Conference title and reached the finals at the 1972 NCAA Division II tournament. His college career, however, came to a sudden end when the NCAA ruled he was ineligible to compete in 1972-73. In its ruling the NCAA had determined that Hatchett had used three years of college eligibility while at NIACC, despite only competing for a year and a half.

He had a 30-4 record for UNI, including 14-1 in dual meets, and finished his college career with a 114-15-1 career record.

The Cedar Rapids native was a dominant three-sport athlete at Washington High School and is a member of the school's athletic hall of fame.

He is also a member of the NIACC Hall of Fame and the National Junior College Wrestling Hall of Fame.