New athletic director steps in

  • Published
  • By Don Branum
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The Air Force Academy's 11th athletic director introduced himself to the Cadet Wing during a brief ceremony at the staff tower in Mitchell Hall March 30.

Jim Knowlton was the director of athletics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., before joining the Academy's Athletic Department March 23.

"Thank you for the incredibly warm welcome," Knowlton said to the cadets, who returned from spring break March 29. "I want to continue to raise the bar and be part of the great things that are happening here."

Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson said Knowlton, who served as an interim athletics director at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, was a good fit for the Athletic Department's mission to develop character and leadership through physical education, fitness and intramural and intercollegiate athletic competition.

"He understands our business, and he will bring in fresh expertise both in athletics and in military bearing," Johnson said.

Knowlton graduated from West Point in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in engineering and later earned his master's degree from Cornell University. He is a registered professional engineer in Virginia. His military awards and decorations include a Legion of Merit medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, a Ranger tab and Air Assault and Senior Parachutist badges.

Knowlton was announced as the new athletic director in a press conference Jan. 21. He succeeds Dr. Hans Mueh, who served in the position for more than 10 years before retiring in January.