John E. Knecht, Jr.
John E. Knecht, Jr. was born in 1906, son of John E. Knecht and Marguerite Erbsen. He graduated from West Haven High School in 1925 and was a guard and co-captain of the high school basketball team. He also was assistant coach of the girls' basketball team. He graduated from Springfield College in 1929, with a degree in physical education and teaching. Branford was looking for a coach and teacher for its new high school on Eades Street and found the perfect fit in John E. Knecht, Jr.
As the first full time Physical and Athletic Director at Branford, John established the physical education program in the Junior and Senior High Schools. He coached all the varsity high school sports, administered the athletic department and taught science and biology in the classroom. John did postgraduate work at Yale University, Boston University and the University of Connecticut, receiving his M. E. Degree in Education.
His record as a coach is legendary. His teams won one baseball, three football and seven basketball Housatonic League championships and six state basketball championships. Several of his students became physical education teachers and coaches. John was a member of many professional organizations and received numerous awards. John Knecht was among the first inductees in the Branford Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. A testimonial dinner was held for him in 1965, which was attended by over two hundred and fifty former students and colleagues from across the country.
Coaching is more than the games won but the influence of the coach as a mentor and teacher of young people. John Knecht held high ideals for scholarship and sportsmanship, influencing many young men toward life achievement. Many students were influenced by John Knecht's ideals of working to the best of your ability, playing fair and achieving a higher education. A former student noted, "He instilled some fine character traits in the boys, not by speech making, but by example and no one dared disappoint him." The students of Branford High School dedicated their yearbook, The Milestone, to John E. Knecht, Jr. in 1935 and 1942 with "Dedication for his sterling character, admiration for his high ideals and gratitude for his services."
John left Branford High School in 1944 to become Director of Personnel at the Malleable Iron Fittings Company, retiring in 1970. His duties included employee placement, relations and evaluation. He continued coaching sports with M.I.F. as part of the New Haven Industrial League, with the Branford Laurels and the World War II Vets team, all winning championships. He volunteered many hours at the Branford Community House and served on the Recreation Board. Locally, he was deacon and a member of the First Congregational Church and president of the Branford Chamber of Commerce.
John E. Knecht, Jr. was married in 1931 to Elinor Striby and they made Branford their home for over forty years. Coach Knecht died in Branford on September 27, 1975, at the age of sixty-nine. Members of the Knecht family include son Robert of Charlotte, North Carolina and son John E. III of Shelton, CT and three grandchildren.
As the first full time Physical and Athletic Director at Branford, John established the physical education program in the Junior and Senior High Schools. He coached all the varsity high school sports, administered the athletic department and taught science and biology in the classroom. John did postgraduate work at Yale University, Boston University and the University of Connecticut, receiving his M. E. Degree in Education.
His record as a coach is legendary. His teams won one baseball, three football and seven basketball Housatonic League championships and six state basketball championships. Several of his students became physical education teachers and coaches. John was a member of many professional organizations and received numerous awards. John Knecht was among the first inductees in the Branford Sports Hall of Fame in 1983. A testimonial dinner was held for him in 1965, which was attended by over two hundred and fifty former students and colleagues from across the country.
Coaching is more than the games won but the influence of the coach as a mentor and teacher of young people. John Knecht held high ideals for scholarship and sportsmanship, influencing many young men toward life achievement. Many students were influenced by John Knecht's ideals of working to the best of your ability, playing fair and achieving a higher education. A former student noted, "He instilled some fine character traits in the boys, not by speech making, but by example and no one dared disappoint him." The students of Branford High School dedicated their yearbook, The Milestone, to John E. Knecht, Jr. in 1935 and 1942 with "Dedication for his sterling character, admiration for his high ideals and gratitude for his services."
John left Branford High School in 1944 to become Director of Personnel at the Malleable Iron Fittings Company, retiring in 1970. His duties included employee placement, relations and evaluation. He continued coaching sports with M.I.F. as part of the New Haven Industrial League, with the Branford Laurels and the World War II Vets team, all winning championships. He volunteered many hours at the Branford Community House and served on the Recreation Board. Locally, he was deacon and a member of the First Congregational Church and president of the Branford Chamber of Commerce.
John E. Knecht, Jr. was married in 1931 to Elinor Striby and they made Branford their home for over forty years. Coach Knecht died in Branford on September 27, 1975, at the age of sixty-nine. Members of the Knecht family include son Robert of Charlotte, North Carolina and son John E. III of Shelton, CT and three grandchildren.