Knox College Athletics

Mike Muro was a member of the Knox College men’s swim teams from 1973 to 1977.  It’s no coincidence that those four years have proven to be the most successful in the history of Knox College men’s swimming.

Mike graduated from Zion-Benton High School in 1973.  During his four years at Knox, he was a fierce competitor, an outstanding leader and a key contributor in helping the men’s swim team compile an amazing dual-team record of 31 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie.  During Mike’s freshman year, he helped lead Knox to a second-place finish in the Midwest Conference.  During his sophomore and junior years, he led the team to two conference championships and was voted the team’s most valuable swimmer his senior year. 

During his career, Mike won two individual conference championships in the 100- and 200-yard butterfly.  He also owned Knox and Midwest Conference records in both events, was a member of the school record-setting 800-yard freestyle team and established Knox pool records in the 100-yard fly, 100-yard breast and the 400-yard medley relay.   Although it has been 30 years since Mike swam for Knox, four of his records have yet to be broken.

In recognition of his great success, Mike was named to the NCAA Division III All-American team in the 100-yard butterfly.  He also qualified for and competed in the NCAA Division III Swimming Championships held at Alleghany College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.  Additionally, he was chosen by the Knox coaching staff as the recipient of the Cleveland Bridgman Award, which is given to the male student-athlete selected as the outstanding performer in an individual sport.

Mike’s overall leadership skills were noticed by others at Knox as well.   He was elected to serve as president of the K-Club and as the class president during his senior year.  He also helped start the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization, played on the Knox Lacrosse Club team and was an active member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.  

Former Knox swimming coach Van Steckelberg noted that “Mike Muro was, without a doubt, the most team-oriented athlete I’ve ever coached – especially coming from a sport that places a premium on individual performance.”