Friday, April 27, 2018

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. Collectively, it is these individuals who make the GNAC one of the top NCAA Division II athletic conferences in the nation. 

Name: Jeanette Knerr
School: Northwest Nazarene
Title: Director of Facilities and Events
Hometown: Apple Valley, California

Colleges Attended & Degrees: Boise State University (Undergraduate, Communication)

Why Did You Decide To Work In Collegiate Athletics: I love sports and the competitive nature it brings out in individuals. Athletics is a fun, intensive and most of the time an aggressive environment. I feed off of that type of energy and it makes coming to work enjoyable. I always knew that after I played collegiate volleyball that I would want to pay it forward and give back to an institution that supports athletics.

Who Has Influenced You The Most As A Professional - Either As An Inspiration, A Mentor, Or Philosophically: I've been lucky enough to surround myself with positive, influential people in my time here in Idaho. My parents, however, instilled a work ethic in me that has gotten me far in my personal and professional career. “People want someone who can get things done, you can either be that person or replaced,” is what my dad would always say. My work ethic is something I take pride in and expect highly of myself. I also look to all the women in the NNU athletic department as daily inspirations.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome As A Professional: Working with other sports and coaches other than volleyball. My job has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and gain perspective and knowledge for each of our men and women's athletic programs.

What Does Division II Mean To You: It is a division where you can make a difference on and off the court/field.

Extracurricular Activities: Olympic weightlifting with my husband, CrossFit, volleyball and Idaho outdoors.

Best Advice You’d Give To Student-Athletes: Be a sponge. Absorb as much as possible from faculty, staff, coaches, administrators, and teammates.

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why): Oprah. My mom would always watch her show after school, so I began following her throughout the years and I've seen her make a difference in lives especially young females. I would love to just sit and listen to her story from beginning to present.

Favorite Sports Team: Boise State and NNU Athletics

Favorite Athlete: Kerri Walsh Jennings - Beach Volleyball Player

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: Receiving my 1,000th kill against Fresno State my senior year. It was an open line shot.