Pfeiffer University

A native of Hingham, Massachusetts, Fran Knapp has been a long-time support of Pfeiffer University and the Falcon Athletic Program. In 1974, she began her pioneering efforts to bring Varsity Field Hockey to Pfeiffer College.

She recruited 17 players and guided the first-year team to a 6-4-4 overall record against extremely tough competition including Duke, Wake Forest and North Carolina.

By year five, the field hockey team finished 7th at the national tournament and in year seven, Pfeiffer Field Hockey captured the 1981 NCAA-DII National Championship.

In addition to serving as the first field hockey coach for three seasons, Knapp also has served as cheerleading coach and as director of the Summer Tennis Program. In 1980, she was named an Honorary Pfeiffer Alumna.

The Knapp Family have lived selfless lives and Pfeiffer Athletics has benefitted from their generosity over the years, with the Knapp Tennis Center and the Knapp Health and Fitness Center being named in their honor.

In 2013, Fran, along with her husband Warren were awarded the prestigious Governor’s Award for Lifetime Volunteerism.