Knox College Athletics

When CJ Tylka completed his athletic career at Knox, outgoing Director of Athletics, Harley Knosher observed that, “He was, without question, one of the four or five best all around athletes to compete here during y forty years at the College.” Head football coach, Andy Gibbon, has described Tylka as” a throw back from another era, because in an age of specialization in sports he not only lettered twelve times at Knox, but was an outstanding athlete in every sport he played.”
 
 In the course of his four years playing football, CJ established himself as one of the best receivers in Knox history. He was first team all conference in 1994, ’95, and ’96 and during his four years caught 141 passes and scored 16 touchdowns. The football teams he played on here compiled a record of 20-16.

 On the basketball court CJ is remembered as a great long range shooter. He hit 36% of his 3-point shots his senior year when his team won the Southern Division Title in the Midwest Conference. He was also a powerful rebounder and exceptional passer.

 His contributions to the Knox baseball program were particularly impressive. By the end of his playing career he had an overall batting average of .316 and was voted most valuable player by his teammates for three consecutive seasons. He was first team all conference his junior year and senior years and was the captain of the team in 1997 when he was selected as the co-player of the year in the conference. His final recognition at Knox was his selection as the Company Companies Athlete of the Year award.

 CJ’s teammates and coaches remember him as team player and dedicated worker. “CJ Tylka,” Says his former teammate and current Knox coach, John Wozniak, “was our reliable play maker – the guy we all knew could make the play for us.” Following his graduation he went on team his Masters degree at the University of Tennessee. I am honored to present Chad James Tylka as a 2003 inductee into the Knox-Lombard Athletic Hall of Fame.