Bill Knecht

William Joseph Knecht (March 10, 1930 – December 17, 1992) was an American competition rower. He took up the sport at La Salle University, and later went to Villanova University, graduating in 1951. In 1946, he joined the Vesper Boat Club and won multiple national titles with them. Internationally, he earned gold medals in the eights at the 1955 Pan American Games and 1964 Olympics, and in double sculls at the 1959 and 1963 Pan American Games.[3] He also took part in the double sculls event at the 1960 Olympics, paired with John B. Kelly Jr., but failed to reach the final[2] due to a sudden illness.[4]

Bill Knecht

Knecht at the 1964 European Championships[1]
Personal information
Born	March 10, 1930 Camden, New Jersey, U.S.[2]
Died	December 17, 1992 (aged 62) Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.[2]
Height	183 cm (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Weight	86 kg (190 lb)
Sport
Sport	Rowing
Club	Vesper Boat Club[2]
Medal record Representing the  United States Olympic Games 1964 Tokyo Eight Pan American Games 1955 Mexico City Eights 1959 Chicago Double sculls 1963 São Paulo Double sculls European Rowing Championships 1958 Poznań Eight

In his school years, Knecht was an avid basketball and football player. He was a lifelong friend of Kelly, both being godfathers of each other's sons.[5] By the time of 1964 Olympics Knecht had six children and ran a sheet metal business.[6] He later became a member of the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team Committee, a judge at the 1992 Summer Olympics, and the founder of the Cooper River Rowing Association. He was inducted into the American Rowing Hall of Fame. The annual Knecht Cup Regatta is hosted by the Villanova University in his honor.[7]