Loyola receives gift to create the Knott Family Student-Athlete Wellness Program
51¶ĚĘÓƵ is establishing a new program to enhance student-athlete wellness initiatives, thanks to a gift from Trustee Mark Knott, ’92, and his wife, Patricia, M.S. ’19.
Through the Knott Family Student-Athlete Wellness Program, Loyola will develop and offer initiatives to promote and advance the wellness of Greyhounds student-athletes.
“We’ve seen the stress and the additional pressures that come with being an athlete in college, juggling all the required physical conditioning, the schooling, and the workload,” said Mark Knott, vice president for Maryland Management Co. “There’s a need at all universities for more support for students, and in my opinion, it just seems to be a bigger need when you layer the athletic piece onto it. All these students have pressures, and student-athletes have even more.”
A former collegiate lacrosse player and now a professional counselor, Patty Knott recognizes the importance of providing mental health support to young people, especially athletes. She and Mark are parents of three daughters who played college lacrosse, and they have seen how college athletes in particular can use additional support.
“As Loyola strives to become a preeminent university for student success, we are grateful to members of our community who are so invested in supporting our students,” said Brian M. Oakes, ’99, MBA ’10, vice president for advancement. “Through their gift, Mark and Patty Knott are addressing a need that is so critical for today’s student-athletes—but they are also ensuring that we will be able to offer this support for generations.”
Funds from the program will enhance existing resources and establish new ones for physical health and injury prevention, mental health support, increased academic support, and investment in leadership development.
“The incredible generosity of Mark and Patty will have an immediate impact on Loyola student-athletes,” said Donna M. Woodruff, associate vice president and director of athletics. “Their creative choice to simultaneously create a significant endowment fund will also allow us to support new and exciting initiatives to ensure a strategic focus on the growing needs of student-athletes during their time at Loyola.”
Fostering student success is a priority of Together We Rise: 51¶ĚĘÓƵ’s Strategic Plan for 2030.