Mercyhurst University Athletics

Jason Knavel is beginning his first year as the Sports Information Director in 2006. A native of Greensburg, Pa., Knavel comes to Mercyhurst after eight years as the Sports Information Director at Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind. A 1997 Grace graduate, Knavel spent a year as a sports writer at the Times-Union in Warsaw, Ind. following graduation. He then began his work as the SID at Grace in the fall of 1998. His job entailed production of all athletic publications and media guides, media relations, record keeping, stat reporting and updating the athletics section of the website. Knavel also coached the women[apos]s tennis team at Grace for six seasons before resigning in 2004. In Sports Information, Knavel has received numerous awards and honors. College Sports Information Directors of America awarded the 1999-00 Grace basketball media guide fourth in the nation in its division and Knavel finished second in the nation in 2003 for his athlete profile of Matt Abernethy. The NAIA Sports Information Directors Association named the 2001-02 basketball media guide fifth in the nation and the website placed 10th that same year. Knavel is married to Beth and the couple has two children, Aubrey and Braden.