Kenneth L. Knight Award
The award is given in honor of Ken Knight, director of
Intramural and Recreational Sports from 1969 to 1993. It
is presented to recognize an outstanding Campus Recreation
student employee or volunteer who demonstrates exemplary
service and commitment to developing and administering recreational
pursuits at Wright State University.
Ken was instrumental in the development of recreational
pursuits including: intramural sports, sport clubs, and
outdoor recreation activities for the campus community.
Ken, affectionately known as "Fuzzy", worked many summers
as a camp counselor in Wisconsin and received two degrees
in recreation from Miami University.
Highlights of his 24 year career include the development
of many activities that gathered students, faculty, and
staff together on a largely commuter campus for recreational
play and extra-curricular activities. In the mid 1980's,
nearly 1,000 participants on five softball fields along
Colonel Glenn Highway enjoyed softball. The Riding Club
was one of the largest and most popular sport clubs due
to the number of bridle trails throughout the undeveloped
land on campus and the stable in the area, which is now
the Nutter Center. Each summer, Ken organized and led adventurous
members of the campus community on a wilderness canoe trip
on the Flambeau River in Wisconsin or whitewater rafting
in West Virginia.
While at Wright State, Ken also worked closely with the
Department of Heath, Physical Education and Recreation as
an adjunct instructor. His personable teaching methods and
enthusiasm for recreational pursuits attracted the interests
of many students. The classes he taught in basketball, canoeing,
softball, and racquetball were some of the more popular
HPR courses offered. It is estimated that he taught more
than 300 courses and instructed approximately 10,000 students
at Wright State.
He also provided extensive committee
leadership for the university. His involvement in the renovation
of the Physical Education Building ensured that an emphasis
was placed on recreational activities in the Student Union.
He was also very active in the National Intramural and Recreational
Sports Association (NIRSA) at the state, regional, and national
levels.
Past Recipients
- Amanda Tingley, 2013
- Josh Elzey, 2012
- Erin Gutman, 2011
- Wesley Moosman, 2010
- Rob Swihart, 2009
- Annica Saunders, 2008
- Bobby Parrett, 2007
- Randi True, 2006
- Ben Miller, 2005
- Brian Humm, 2003
- JT Bukiewicz, 2002
- Theresa Bugner, 2001
- Susan Griffith, 2000
- Tara Ireland, 1999
- Robyn Sanders, 1998
- Dean Borchers, 1997
