McKendree University Athletics

Dennis Knepper has proven himself as one of the most successful coaches at McKendree University since coming to the school in 2007. Over that time, he has had a hand in guiding some of the most memorable bowling teams in school history, all while building the men's program into one of the most consistent and respected squads in the nation.

Knepper first joined the Bearcats' staff as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's teams. As an assistant for the women's team, Knepper helped guide McKendree to a second-place finish at the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Championships in 2010 and a third-place showing a year earlier. In his final season with the women's squad, Knepper used his coaching talents to push the Bearcats over the top to claim the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Invitational Tournament in 2011, which represented McKendree's first bowling national title.

During that time, Knepper played a big role in developing the talents of Rebekah Diers, an All-American who became the first McKendree bowler to be inducted into the University's Sports Hall of Fame in the fall of 2015.

On the men's side, Knepper helped lead the Bearcats' charge into national prominence. In March 2010, McKendree rolled to its first-ever appearance at the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships. After following with a pair of near-misses in 2011 and 2012, McKendree responded with a breakthrough season during the 2012-13 campaign with Knepper at the helm. The Bearcats rolled through the field to win the USBC Sectional Qualifier in Smyrna, Tenn., to reach nationals for the second time in team history. McKendree then claimed the No. 8 seed after qualifying play and caught fire, winning four of five head-to-head matches to reach the national championship match for the first time in school history.

Bowling in front of a national television audience, McKendree faced off against Robert Morris University for a shot at the program's first national title. Although the Bearcats came up just short in the championship contest, the second-place effort marked the program's best finish at nationals.

Since Knepper returned to the helm of the men's program in 2012, McKendree has qualified for seven consecutive Intercollegiate Team Championship appearances. 

The Bearcats' program took the next step beginning with the 2015-16 season. After a season that produced eight top-five finishes that included a pair of tournament victories, McKendree earned a spot in the field for the Intercollegiate Team Championship. Five wins in bracket play put the Bearcats into the national championship match against William Paterson University. McKendree dropped the first two games in the best-of-five title match before rallying in dramatic fashion, winning the final three games to capture the program's first-ever national championship. 

McKendree looked to defend its national title in 2016-17. The Bearcats appeared well on their way to the feat, winning two in-season tournaments on their way to nine top-five efforts. McKendree then stormed through bracket play with an unblemished record heading into the 2017 Intercollegiate Team Championship title match. There, the Bearcats faced off against Webber International University. McKendree held a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five match before the Warriors came back with two victories, ending the Bearcats' hope for a repeat.

In 2017-18, McKendree bounced back to capture its second ITC crown in three years. The Bearcats reeled off 10 consecutive top-five tournament finishes to begin the season, which included four second-place showings. After grabbing the No. 3 seed at the 2018 Intercollegiate Team Championships, McKendree dominated the competition by winning four consecutive matches to reach the title contest. 

In the finals, McKendree rolled past Robert Morris University (Ill.) three games to one for its second national championship. The Bearcats were making their third consecutive appearance in the ITC title contest. 

The Bearcats looked to continue their winning ways in 2018-19. McKendree quickly went to work, posting top-10 finishes in all 11 of its regular-season tournaments. That included a run of three consecutive wins, beginning with McKendree's National Collegiate Team Match Games over Thanksgiving weekend. The Bearcats followed up with wins near Chicago at the Roto Grip Eagles Baker Challenge and the Kegel/ISBPA Midwest Collegiate Classic.

Another strong performance at the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships Sectional Qualfier placed McKendree into its seventh straight ITC field. Taking the No. 13 seed into bracket play, the Bearcats started off with two victories. A win in the winner's bracket semifinals put McKendree one win away from a fourth consecutive ITC finals visit. However, Webber International University defeated the Bearcats in back-to-back matches to end McKendree's run for the season. 

Knepper did pick up his first piece of hardware during the 2018-19 season. He was selected by his peers to receive the Kerm Helmer National Coach of the Year Award.

During his tenure at McKendree, Knepper has coached numerous All-Americans and top talent for McKendree. The most notable of his pupils has been A.J. Johnson, a three-time All-American who was named the National Bowler of the Year by both the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association (NCBCA) and the International Bowling Media Association (IBMA) in his junior season of 2013-14. Johnson also bowled for a USBC Masters title while a McKendree senior in 2015, finishing second in the prestigious event. Following his graduation, Johnson moved on to the professional ranks as a member of the Professional Bowlers Assocation (PBA). 

In all, Knepper has coached six All-Americans. Johnson is the most decorated of the group, having earned five All-America awards over his four seasons at McKendree. 

Knepper's coaching history has not been relegated to the collegiate ranks. He earned Bronze Level coaching status from the USBC in 2000 and advanced to a Silver Level coach in 2010. Knepper has instructed players of all levels and abilities, from junior high and high school as well as collegiate players. He has also instructed amateur and PBA bowlers as well. Knepper honed his coaching skills at the Bill Taylor Coaching Camp, the Kegel Training Center and the USBC Coaching Center. 

On the lanes, Knepper is just as accomplished. A bowler for more than 40 years, Knepper has authored a perfect 300 game 55 times in his career, He has tossed a 300 game along with an 800 series at the USBC Nationals. 

Knepper and his wife Annette have three children; Shanna, Ashley and Alex. The Kneppers also have four grandchildren.