This year’s CMASS-WMASS recipient had an illustrious career as a cross country and track coach spanning from 1974-2005, with a brief respite in 1981-82. Mr. Knowlton is a rarity these days- he attended Narragansett Regional High School and in his junior year began running track there, and by 1978 had returned to start his legendary career. A Holy Cross grad, Ken is greatly appreciative of former coach Art Conroe’s efforts to influence his tenure at Gansett, which actually began as J.V. girl’s basketball coach! Working as a substitute teacher, teacher, teaching principal and coach in the private sector prepared Ken for his real passion, which was teaching math, history, and P.E. at his beloved middle school. The records in cross country are phenomenal. Boys and girls league titles 16 times, 9 undefeated boys teams, 23 wachusett Invitational and Nashoba Invitational crowns, 8 CMass titles, and 2 All State runner-ups. Most impressive is the four All State Championships won by Coach Knowlton’s boy in 1978,1983, 1995,and 1996. Probably his most prominent athlete would be Brad Schlapak, class of 1983, who went on to be USA Cross Country Champion in 1995, and later addressed our own MSTCA athletes at the Auerbach Freshman-Sophmore meet. Training boys and girls in both C.C. and track, Ken is proud that 33 of the 43 individual records and 24 of the 36 relay records at ‘Gannett are still held by his athletes, and Ken is quick to credit his colleague Mike Lawence. Still involved with the youth of town as a pastor and music minister, Ken finds the time to coordinate the local “fun-run summer program, run himself, and mountain bike with his wife of 33 years, Betty.
Inducted: 2006