Started in 1899, men's basketball is one of the most storied programs in Knox athletics history.
The program has had different runs of success including many successful seasons under legendary coach Harley Knosher who was the head coach from 1960-1984 and his predecessor, Tim Heimann who was the head coach from 1984-2008.
The Knox basketball program is under new leadership as Corey Harvey was hired as the head coach in May of 2024.
Knox men's basketball has made a number of playoff appearances, and the team has seen its share of great individual performers. Since the 1999-2000 season, Knox has garnered a total of 20 all-conference selections.
Players are able to enjoy top-notch facilities. Prairie Fire home basketball games are played in Memorial Gym, which was renovated in the spring of 2016 and boasts the largest seating capacity (3,000) in the Midwest Conference. In addition, the E. & L. Andrew Fitness Center has state-of-the-art equipment that rivals any college in the Midwest.
Prairie Fire basketball is very competitive and offers many opportunities to participate. Knox is also one of a small number of NCAA Division III schools in the country that offers both varsity and junior varsity basketball programs.
An emphasis on team chemistry and support define Knox basketball. The team takes an extended trip every other season, with the destination voted on by players. Recent trips have included Hawaii, Florida, and Memphis, Tennessee.
Prairie Fire basketball players have gone on to a wide variety of successful careers. They include Dustin Milliken '03 (Economics), who is a Major Gift Officer for Knox College. Mervyn Swanson '91 (History) has served as the head basketball coach at Tinley Park High School near Chicago. William Fuerst '69 (Psychology) was formerly the Dean of the School of Business at the University of Kansas. Robert Sprowls '79 (Economics and Business Administration) is the senior vice president and CFO of American States Water Company in Claremont, California. Steve Hopkins '82 (Political Science) is a judge with the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, Arizona.
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