Knox College Athletics

Gary Wollitz came to Knox from West Burlington, Iowa in 1971.  Gary was a four-year letterman in baseball and a three-year letterman in football.  He was the co-captain of the football team his senior year, and captain of the baseball team his junior and senior years.  As a sophomore, Gary won the K Club Award, which goes to the sophomore who letters in two sports and is ranked in the top three in grade point average.  During Gary's senior year, he was the recipient of the John W. Hilding Prize, which is given to the senior for the best athletic career at Knox. 

Anyone who saw Gary play baseball will remember him as an excellent short stop and a dangerous hitter who could hit with consistency and power.  In both his freshman and sophomore years, he was selected to the All-Midwest Conference baseball team and had a batting average of .378.  During Gary's junior year, he demonstrated his power by hitting seven (7) home runs -- nearly twice as many as any other Knox baseball player hit during any one season during the 1970's.  At the conclusion of his senior year, Gary also was selected to the NCAA College Division District IV All-Star team, the first time a Knox baseball player ever received this honor.

On the football field, Gary was an outstanding quarterback.  During his sophomore and junior years he helped lead the team to a 12-5-1 record.  The 1973 team, which finished with a 6-2-1 record, set offensive team records in total plays, total yards and yards per game with Gary throwing for 1,045 yards, completing 48.8% of his passes, and throwing only three interceptions.  During that exciting season, Gary connected with wide receiver Mike Kubicki for touchdown passes of 62- and 80-yards.  Unfortunately, a back injury limited Gary's playing time his senior year.

Former Knox Head Baseball Coach Bucky Swise said, “Gary Wollitz was one of the finest young men that I had the privilege to coach.  He was an outstanding all-around athlete and a great leader -- both on and off the field.”