New Athletic Director Michael Knipe focuses on passion and progress; Batting in style

M ichael Knipe ’19 has been named Director of Athletics, Recreation, and Wellness. Knipe previously served as Interim Director and has been with the department in many different roles throughout the past four years, including Director of Athletic Communications and Head Coach for Track and Cross Country. He has also served in the Office of the Registrar. He serves on the Finance Committee of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) in his new role.

Knipe also serves in the United States Army Reserve and finished a year-long deployment overseas in August. Before NCU, he coached football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.

Knipe is completing an MBA from the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. He started his undergraduate work at Trinity and completed his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from NCU.

Knipe is an innovator committed to advance the university through athletics and is the driving force behind the introduction of eSports, NCU’s latest varsity sport coming this fall. (See page 13.)

“I am excited to continue the major progress made on this campus over the years,” Knipe said. “We will be dedicated to continuing to develop passionate champions of excellence in athletics and in life as we build leaders for God’s Kingdom.” He emphasized a commitment to a “we over me” attitude throughout all of athletics at NCU.

BATTING IN STYLE

A generous foundation grant provided for a major upgrade to the batting cages used by NCU Rams softball and baseball teams. With Minnesota’s slow-to-arrive spring, the cages play an important role in the teams’ practice regimen. Head Baseball Coach David Babcock expressed gratitude for the project, saying, “We could not be more grateful for the donations made to upgrade our baseball and softball facility. During my time here, God has continued to bless our program. After everything He has done for us, it is only right that we give Him our best, and that is what we are doing thanks to the generosity of all our donors.”