Groundbreaking for Football Field Renovations

Knox College held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, March 13, to officially start renovation of the Knox Bowl, which will be renamed the Knosher Bowl in honor of retired athletic director Harley Knosher. The ceremony included remarks from Knox College President Roger Taylor, Athletic Director Chad Eisele, Head Football Coach Andy Gibbons, and Knosher.

The $1.8 million project will include an artificial turf surface, new fencing, gates and entry area; lowering of the north berm to open the Bowl to the campus; addition of handicap parking; new goal posts; and enlarged areas for team benches and athletic training staff and equipment.

At the conclusion of the project, scheduled for August, 2008, the field will be renamed the Harley Knosher Bowl, in honor of the long-time Knox coach and athletic director. Knosher coached and taught from 1960 until his retirement in 2000, and served as athletic director from 1964 to 2000.

A second phase, which will include new public restrooms, a concession stand, a covered viewing deck, and more spectator seating, is currently in the fund-raising stages.

Renovation and dedication of the Harley Knosher Bowl, and the renovation of Memorial Gymnasium that is currently underway, are both components of Knox's Fitness and Athletics Initiatives, an expansion and enhancement of campus fitness and athletics facilities.

Among the Fitness and Athletics Initiatives already completed are the $2.4 million E. & L. Andrew Fitness Center, installation of a sprinkler system in T. Fleming Fieldhouse, renovation of the outdoor track and field complex at Trevor Field, renovation of weightroom and wrestling facilities, and renovation and dedication of Jorge Prats Soccer Field.

A proposed second phase of the Harley Knosher Bowl project, currently in the fund-raising stage, includes new public restrooms, a concession stand, covered viewing deck, and more spectator seating.

Full Texts of Groundbreaking Remarks

Above, Harley Knosher speaks at groundbreaking; below, shovels mark start of $1.8-million project at football field.