Alumni Spotlight: Mr. James Knapp

Logan wright and Makenzie Volpatti|March 6, 2018

Mr. James Knapp works with Bethel’s finest at his desk.

Favorite Movie: Uncle Buck and Stripes

Favorite food: Donuts

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be: Coach Mrs. Knapp

Favorite quote: “Say no to drugs, yes to [Keystones], and respect everyone.” “Wake up and smell the coffee.” “Coach Jones, you’re fired.”

Dream Job: I wanted to be a radio announcer, but Mike White wrote that I was a big baby.

If you had a superpower, what would it be: The ability to make donuts appear at any time.

Least favorite day of the year: Keystones

Favorite day of the year: Last day of Keystones

Favorite teacher from high school: Michael J Furey; he is the grandfather of Dominic Palombia

When he starts his day: He starts between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m.

This week’s Alumni Spotlight is Mr. James Knapp. A Pittsburgh native and Bethel Park grad, Mr. Knapp is a guidance counselor at BPHS.

He graduated from BPHS in 1979 and then went on to study education at IUP. After graduating from IUP, he earned his master’s from Slippery Rock.

He served as a guidance counselor at Butler High School for a brief period of time, then came home to Bethel for one semester, moved on to Ford City for one year, then to NA, later to Western Area Vo-Tech, and finally he found his forever home at BP.

In addition to counseling, he coached basketball for 30 years, three years as a head varsity coach, 22 years as an assistant varsity coach, and five years as a middle school coach.

He was also Union President, Union VP and Treasurer, and he served on the Trinity School Board.

Aside from all that, he played Santa Claus at South Hills Village for three years.