Crispin admits that when he was a freshman, basketball dominated all of his thoughts and that the religion he was brought up on in Pitman, N.J., did not play as serious a role as he would have liked.
"Coming in as a freshman, basketball was what it was all about," Joe said. "My biggest change has been finding a true and ever-loving God."
His religious upbringing started at home where the Crispin family attended a Methodist church every Sunday and where Joe was a member of the youth group and sang in the choir.
His mother, Sue Crispin, said the family was always serious when it came to Christianity, and when Joe left home and went to Penn State, he continued to attend church and pray.
But now, with his senior year almost a semester complete, Joe has turned his religious beliefs into a lifetime dedication to God.
No, Crispin is not planning to become an ordained minister anytime soon, but he has taken his convictions to a more mature and developed level.
Sue said her son's interest in becoming more religious arose when her brother-in-law Jeff Crispin, approached Joe and asked him what his plan was for his life and where he stands with God during a family vacation in Ocean City, Md.
From that conversation, Sue said Joe began to read more of the Bible and started to get interested in the Left Behind Series, a book series that is a fictional account of the Book of Revelation and is based on the teachings of the Bible.
"His true commitment probably came in the past couple of years," Sue said. "Jeff was discussing things with him and challenged him. From that challenge he really took off."
That's what Joe Crispin is all about, responding to challenges.
The Lions guard that has been admittedly too tough on himself during past off-seasons has finally come around to realize his destiny.
His brother, Jon, who is a sophomore guard for the Lions, said Joe's basketball future has the potential to blossom into something bigger than he could have imagined in recent years.
For the elder Crispin, who has been underrated his entire life, can anyone be surprised if it happens?
"He finally came out and accepted the fact that he can be an NBA prospect," Jon said. "He's like, this is my year. We haven't done anything my whole career. He's a little bit more mature, too."
Sue said the opportunities for Joe after this season are endless.
Her oldest son could possibly be drafted by an NBA squad, go to Europe and play internationally or maybe work in Christian service.
Joe has said numerous times this preseason that, if the Lions don't make it to the NCAA Tournament, his career would be a disaster.
The guard also added that he is putting most of the pressure on himself to get Penn State back to the field of 65, a position the Lions haven't been in since the 1995-1996 season. Sue said that Joe was always the guy to put all the pressure and expectations on himself.
Once again, mother knows best.
"For Penn State to get back in the NCAAs is his ultimate goal," Sue said. "When he saw Pitman go to the states, he was excited and now it's the same thing for Penn State.
"Joe Crispin wants to go, but he wants Penn State to go even more."
Joe knows he can be the sole man to take the Lions to the Big Dance, but the senior guard also realizes it will be an uphill climb.
For Joe, the fun part of playing basketball is striving to win and reacting to how God makes everything turn out.
Whether it's a missed shot, a turnover or an electrifying play that gets the crowd roaring, Crispin knows it's all in God's hands.
"That's the biggest thing to me as far as maturity wise, as far as putting basketball in perspective," Joe said. "That's what is so much fun, just playing the game and seeing where God takes it."
Before every game, Crispin is always the first player out of his warm-ups and the last one to the team huddle.
He stands on the court and shoots a few more shots than any of his teammates or opponents.
Joe must know something most people don't.
Joe knows God will always be right there with him.
