Grace College Sports Information Director Jason Knavel has announced his resignation from the position effective August 4. He will take the same position at NCAA Division II Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania.
Knavel has worked as the Sports Information Director at Grace since 1998, promoting its 14 NAIA varsity sports. He graduated from the college in 1997 and worked as a sports writer at the Times-Union in Warsaw for a year before returning to Grace. Knavel also spent six years as the womens tennis coach at Grace before leaving that position after the 2004 season.
"I am grateful to the school for the opportunity that it has given me and for the mission that it represents," Knavel said. "It is with very mixed emotions that I resign from my position."
During his time at Grace, Knavel has promoted numerous national contenders. The mens cross country program advanced to the NAIA National Championships three times, while the volleyball program did the same in 2001. The mens basketball team ended as the NCCAA national runner-ups in 2003 as well.
Mercyhurst College fields 25 varsity teams, including NCAA Division I programs in mens volleyball and mens and womens hockey. The womens hockey program advanced to the Final Four a year ago, losing to eventual national champion Wisconsin in overtime.
"Jason has done a tremendous job for his alma mater and we are grateful for his contributions," Athletic Director Roger Newton said. "His love, dedication, and passion for Grace Athletics will be sorely missed. I am glad to have had the opportunity to work with Jason and join the coaching staff in wishing him the very best in his new position."
Newton will begin the search for a new Sports Information Director immediately.