EJ McKnight - Sports Resume
Beating the odds
EJ McKnight is an Associate member of the Association of Sports Psychology. His philosophy is that mental techniques are just as important as physical skills and that a mastering of these techniques can translate into significantly greater success. In fact a strong mental toughness is the quality that most often distinguishes the average from the good, the good from the great.
He played football at the collegiate level on scholarship despite weighing only 160 pounds. He lettered in 3 sports in high school, earning numerous athletic awards. He also lettered in football at college, earning awards for intensity and hustle. He is adept at golf, bowling, strength training, running, and has an extensive knowledge of thoroughbred horseracing.
He has been a member of the American Football Coaches Association since 1977. This organization works to build better strong ties between the high school, college, and professional coaches in the US. He was chosen to speak at their National Conference in 1984.
He has also been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) since 1968. FCA is a large organization that promotes Christian values through athletics. He has been a featured speaker at several conferences, speaking on Christian leadership in every area of life, and the responsibility to serve.
After guiding his football team to an undefeated season in 1980, he was honored as Football “Coach of the Year” for Northeast Florida. His team was also selected as the Team Exhibiting Best Sportsmanship.
In the early 1980’s, he did a 10 week TV show called Football for Women, a show designed to explain the game to women, wherein he lectured, did magic, and interviewed guests. He has appeared on many local television and radio broadcasts as a resource for athletics, football, missionary work, and humanitarian efforts.
He has worked with professional golfer Fred Funk on his mental approach to the game. Mr. Funk recently won the 2005 Tournament Players Championship worth US$1.4 million.
He was Youth Director at Riverview Neighbors House, Cincinnati, Ohio, a recreation center for underprivileged youth. He created several competing athletic teams from youth who had never before participated. In less than one season, they were good enough to defeat the best baseball team in the county. He managed 14 employees, and recruited over 30 parental volunteers in a community that had the reputation for non-community involvement.
He was Recreation Director for Cincinnati Convalescent Hospital for Children, managing a staff of 8, creating and implementing athletic and development programs for handicapped youth.
He was Recreation Director for Vrooman Avenue Summer Program, Amsterdam, NY, supervising 5 counselors and managing daily athletic activities and a swimming program at the adjacent pool.
EJ McKnight has overcome numerous surgeries and disabilities. He has endured spinal, knee, eye, and abdominal surgeries. He has received over 250 stitches in his body, plus 21 broken bones, some twice. “I play hard,” he responds. He also suffers from arthritis. Despite these injuries and operations, his passion for athletics is undaunted. He had to relearn how to swing a golf club without relying on a right leg that lacks all feeling below the knee. He now still plays to handicap of 8 or 9. In 1997 E.J. suffered a major heart attack and survived a 5 bypass open heart surgery. Yet today he continues to run approximately 3 miles a day on a leg without feeling and has participated in nationally endorsed runs of 10K and 15K.
He holds Red Cross certifications in CPR and Emergency Care an as a trainer for Nautilus exercise machines.
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He played football at the collegiate level on scholarship despite weighing only 160 pounds. He lettered in 3 sports in high school, earning numerous athletic awards. He also lettered in football at college, earning awards for intensity and hustle. He is adept at golf, bowling, strength training, running, and has an extensive knowledge of thoroughbred horseracing.
He has been a member of the American Football Coaches Association since 1977. This organization works to build better strong ties between the high school, college, and professional coaches in the US. He was chosen to speak at their National Conference in 1984.
He has also been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) since 1968. FCA is a large organization that promotes Christian values through athletics. He has been a featured speaker at several conferences, speaking on Christian leadership in every area of life, and the responsibility to serve.
After guiding his football team to an undefeated season in 1980, he was honored as Football “Coach of the Year” for Northeast Florida. His team was also selected as the Team Exhibiting Best Sportsmanship.
In the early 1980’s, he did a 10 week TV show called Football for Women, a show designed to explain the game to women, wherein he lectured, did magic, and interviewed guests. He has appeared on many local television and radio broadcasts as a resource for athletics, football, missionary work, and humanitarian efforts.
He has worked with professional golfer Fred Funk on his mental approach to the game. Mr. Funk recently won the 2005 Tournament Players Championship worth US$1.4 million.
He was Youth Director at Riverview Neighbors House, Cincinnati, Ohio, a recreation center for underprivileged youth. He created several competing athletic teams from youth who had never before participated. In less than one season, they were good enough to defeat the best baseball team in the county. He managed 14 employees, and recruited over 30 parental volunteers in a community that had the reputation for non-community involvement.
He was Recreation Director for Cincinnati Convalescent Hospital for Children, managing a staff of 8, creating and implementing athletic and development programs for handicapped youth.
He was Recreation Director for Vrooman Avenue Summer Program, Amsterdam, NY, supervising 5 counselors and managing daily athletic activities and a swimming program at the adjacent pool.
EJ McKnight has overcome numerous surgeries and disabilities. He has endured spinal, knee, eye, and abdominal surgeries. He has received over 250 stitches in his body, plus 21 broken bones, some twice. “I play hard,” he responds. He also suffers from arthritis. Despite these injuries and operations, his passion for athletics is undaunted. He had to relearn how to swing a golf club without relying on a right leg that lacks all feeling below the knee. He now still plays to handicap of 8 or 9. In 1997 E.J. suffered a major heart attack and survived a 5 bypass open heart surgery. Yet today he continues to run approximately 3 miles a day on a leg without feeling and has participated in nationally endorsed runs of 10K and 15K.
He holds Red Cross certifications in CPR and Emergency Care an as a trainer for Nautilus exercise machines.
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