Knox College Athletics

Josh Fourdyce came to Knox College from Westmer High School. As a Knox athlete, he was a four-year letter winner in both football and basketball and a two-time All-American. Hanson’s Football Gazette selected Josh for the second team in 1997 and first team in 1998. He was recognized as a Hewlett-Packard first-team All-American in 1998 and named to the All-Midwest Conference teams in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Josh also earned honors as the Midwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998.

The defensive lineman truly frightened the players on the other side of the ball. Josh holds the Knox record for sacks in a career with 43. He led the nation his senior year with a record-setting 23.5, and some quarterback probably still has an imprint of Josh’s helmet in his chest after he recorded 6.5 sacks against St. Norbert College in 1998.

Josh was part of the four-year class that recorded the most wins in Knox football history with 23 and celebrated four wins over Monmouth College.

The history major received well-deserved accolades from those who watched him. One local sports writer described Josh as a “purple-and-gold clad tidal wave surging past hapless offensive tackles and guards – mostly in tandem – trying to stop him,” and football coach Andy Gibbons called Josh the best player he has ever coached at Knox, and possibly the best defensive player to ever play at Knox.

It can easily be said that Knox is not a factory for professional athletes, but once in a while a Knox athlete can work hard enough at a tryout that he or she gets noticed. This is what Josh did.

After Knox, Josh went to Peoria to try out for a new indoor football league, not thinking he would make the team, but he was given a chance and did not disappoint those watching. Josh played professionally for the Peoria Pirates for one year and then joined the newly-formed Quad City Steamwheelers in 2000, where he stayed for four seasons. During the 2003 season, Josh became the second all-time leading rusher and third all-time leader in sacks for the Steamwheelers. As one of the fan favorites, he was also nominated for the Arena Football League 2’s Toughman of the Year award. Josh currently works as a law enforcement officer in McHenry County, northwest of Chicago.