Knight honored with Sportsmanship Award
7/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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“Both of these student-athletes represent the high ideals of the Patriot League as set out by our Code of Conduct,” Patriot League Executive Director Carolyn Schlie Femovich said. “They are shining examples for how Patriot League student-athletes conduct themselves in competition and promote the principles of fairness and responsibility. Their demonstration of good sporting behavior and respect for their teammates is very admirable and commendable.”
Knight, who recently graduated from Lehigh with a degree in sociology, averaged 14.4 points per game in 2005-06 as he helped lead the Mountain Hawks to a school record 11 Patriot League victories. For his efforts, Knight was named a Second-Team All-Patriot League selection. Off of the court, Knight committed himself to serving the community with his involvement in the Boys and Girls Club Big Brother program as a Youth Community Reading Program volunteer and as a summer camp counselor. He was also the recipient of the 2006 Lehigh Athletic Department Sportsmanship Award
Knight was nominated for his demonstration of sportsmanship and character in the face of an unusual eligibility circumstance that forced him to miss more than half of the games in his senior year. Knight was declared ineligible as a result of an interpretation of NCAA “progress toward degree” rules that did not allow more than 40 credits that he completed in good academic standing at another institution but which were not applicable to his Lehigh degree, to count toward his NCAA academic progress. Knight graduated in 5 years having completed more than 170 total college credits, earned academic honors during his enrollment, and was never academically deficient or ineligible, yet lost half a season as a result of this technical interpretation. Knight’s response was accepting, always positive, supportive of his teammates, and focused upon his return. His attitude inspired staff and team members, as well as faculty and campus officials, many of whom struggled to understand and accept the NCAA interpretation.
“I am honored and thrilled for Joe Knight,” explained head coach Billy Taylor. “Joe is a tremendous young man who had a positive impact on our basketball team and the Lehigh campus. I am so excited that the Patriot League recognizes his strong leadership qualities. Joe personally battled through adversity and refused to let negative destructive thoughts steal from his experience to get a high-level education while playing the game he loves. I can only hope that we can continue to recruit quality student-athletes like Joe Knight to
