Jim Knopp (1989)

Jim Knopp has the distinction of being the first gymnast to be inducted into the Poland Athletic Hall of Fame.

While in high school, Knopp earned four letters for gymnastics. He placed 7th All Around at the OHSAA State meet as a freshman, 4th as a sophomore, 2nd as a junior, and was the State All Around Champion as a senior. Later that year he became the 1989 National Champion.

Jim earned a scholarship to attend The Ohio State University where he was an OSU Scholar Athlete, Academic All-American, 4 year letter winner and four-time All-American. In 1992 he was the Big Ten High Bar Champion and 1st Team All Big 10 selection. In 1993 Jim earned the Big 10 Medal of Honor, was the Big 10 Champion on the pommel horse and parallel bars, and was the 1st team All Big 10 selection.

In 1994 Knopp was selected to represent the United States as a member of the US National Team at the World University Games. He stayed on at OSU as an assistant coach that same year.