Jim Knowlton '78

Served as Director of Athletics at the University of California, Berkeley, leading one of the top NCAA Division I programs while achieving record-high student-athlete graduation rates.

From Army Colonel to Division I Athletics Leader

Jim Knowlton served 26 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a colonel in 2008 after commanding a 750-soldier battalion at Fort Carson and deploying to Iraq. He later taught in West Point’s engineering department and was Army’s deputy and interim athletics director. He went on to lead athletics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2008–2015) and the U.S. Air Force Academy (2015–2018) before being named Cal’s Director of Athletics in 2018.

Seven Years at Cal: Titles, Academics, and Realignment

At UC Berkeley (2018–2025), Knowlton oversaw one of the nation’s premier Division I programs. During his tenure, Cal teams won 10 national championships, and the department reached an all-time high Graduation Success Rate of 93%. He also helped steer Cal through the Pac-12 collapse and transition to the ACC, demonstrating steady leadership through one of collegiate athletics’ most challenging eras.

Full Circle: Leadership, Legacy, and Lifelong Impact

Knowlton announced his retirement effective July 1, 2025, closing seven years at Cal marked by competitive success, academic achievement, and ethical leadership. A proud Austin Prep alumnus, he returned to the school as a featured speaker in the inaugural episode of “Austin Prep Presents: A Community Webinar Series.” In that discussion, he shared insights on college athletics—including recruitment, opportunities for high school athletes, and the evolving financial landscape of collegiate sports—drawing on lessons from his military and athletic leadership experience. He and his wife Corey are retiring to Colorado to be closer to their five sons and eight grandchildren.

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