Staff Directory
- Title:
- Assistant Athletic Director, Communications
- Email:
Jason Knavel joined the University of Pittsburgh athletics department in October of 2025 as the Assistant Athletics Director for Communications. Knavel oversees the department’s strategic communications department and is the primary men’s basketball communications contact.
Prior to arriving at Pittsburgh, Knavel spent more than 25 years in the profession, most recently as the Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications at Elon University. At Elon, Knavel was the primary communications contact for football, women’s lacrosse and track & field, while overseeing communications, creative services and broadcasting.
Knavel spent more than 12 years at Bowling Green State University from 2008-21, beginning as Assistant Athletics Director for Communications before being promoted to Associate Athletics Director for Communications. He began his tenure by working with the men’s basketball program for five years and concluded his time as the daily football contact. At various times, he also served as the primary volleyball, softball, hockey, track & field and gymnastics contact.
At BGSU, Knavel oversaw communications and creative services areas, serving on the executive senior staff team. His communications teams were twice named a Super 11 Team by the FWAA (Football Writers Association of America).
Knavel spent just over two years at Mercyhurst College (2006-08), overseeing the communications efforts of 25 sports competing at the NCAA Division II level. He began his career in college athletics in 1998 as the Sports Information Director at his alma mater, Grace College.
After graduating from Grace College in 1997, Knavel worked as a sports writer for just over a year at the Times-Union in Warsaw, Ind. A Greensburg, Pa. native, Knavel is married to Beth and the couple has three children – Aubrey, Braden and Clayton.
