July 6, 2009
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Knapps seeking honor for late father, coach Staff Reports The family of the late Roy Knapp, led by his son Roy “Buddy” Knapp Jr., are on a mission to see that the coach whose career spanned five decades gets the recognition he deserves -- a spot in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Sports Hall of Fame.Buddy Knapp is in the process of compiling as complete a list as possible of his father's coaching accomplishments in football, basketball and baseball over the years. The elder Knapp, who graduated from Gaylesville High School in 1936, began his coaching career on the basketball court in Mississippi. After World War II, Knapp led a championship baseball team in 1955 before returning to Gaylesville. Knapp was the school's football coach and principal until 1961. He led the Trojans to an undefeated season in 1958. He also won county baseball and basketball championships while at Gaylesville. After coaching out of state for several years, Knapp returned to Cherokee County in 1969 as the football coach at Sand Rock. He also coached at Spring Garden and Coosa Christian in Gadsden before retiring. Knapp, who passed away in 1992, was named to the Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. Buddy Knapp is still in the process of compiling information for the application to the Hall of Fame. Anyone with stats or facts, or who wishes to compose a testimonial for inclusion with the application, is encouraged to contact Buddy at 706-346-1464 or via email at buddyknapp@hotmail.com. |