We see all sorts of people from all walks of life come through the door here at the WEIS radio studio in Centre. We have everyone from rising musicians to local birthday winners come and go.
But one face we’ve all become accustomed to seeing a lot over the past few years – all decked out in his trademark New York Yankee baseball cap – is one Coach “Buddy” Knapp.
We were all saddened to hear of Buddy’s passing over the weekend. He died at his home on Saturday at the age of 81.
My first time meeting Buddy wasn’t at the WEIS studio. It was the spring of 2009, and at that time, I had just become the sports editor at The Cherokee County Herald.
Buddy stopped by our office one day requesting my assistance to help get his father, 40-year coaching legend and World War II Navy veteran Roy Knapp, inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame.
The elder Knapp coached in five decades, which included 10 different Alabama high schools. Gaylesville, Sand Rock, and Spring Garden were among those schools he coached at locally.
I remember writing a series of articles about Buddy’s efforts for his father, who won over 130 games in his career. That day finally came to pass when he was inducted into the hall as part of the Class of 2012.
Buddy was so proud to see his father honored for his coaching career. He thanked me several times after that for the small part I did to help get his father recognized.
I also owe Buddy a debt of gratitude.
In 2014, he introduced me to Centre native, former University of Alabama student, and cerebral palsy advocate A.J. Starr.
Buddy, a friend of the Starr family, was gracious enough to tell me about A.J.’s story receiving the “No Excuses” award in Washington. D.C. He also arranged for me to meet with him so I could tell that story — “A Starr at Cinderella’s Ball” – to all of our readers.
I never imagined the acclaim that story would receive.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association honored me with the Herby Kirby Memorial Award for the best sports story in the state of Alabama in June of 2015. It was the first time the award went to a weekly sportswriter.
Two years later in 2017, Buddy pioneered the creation of the Cherokee County Historical Museum’s annual awards honoring local media members and unsung heroes within the sports community.
The media award was named in honor of WEIS Station Manager Jerry Baker and Herald Editor Terry Dean.
I was blessed to be its first recipient.
I’ve also been blessed to ride around the county with him to personally inform community members of being recognized for their efforts.
Another of Buddy’s projects in conjunction with the museum the past few years has been the addition of its sports room. He’s helped curate donated sports items from the community and put them on display for all visitors to appreciate.
Just like his pride with seeing his father inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Buddy was also proud of that sports room. And he was also proud to help his son Brian coach football and basketball at Gaylesville.
In recent months, Buddy’s health had been declining. The visits to the studio had become fewer and fewer.
The last time I saw him was back in early December. WEIS was beginning its basketball broadcasts for the 2025-26 season with the Spring Garden at Gaylesville varsity games.
I filled in for regular sports broadcaster Trent Dickeson that night on the air with Tony Hathcock, and I remember Buddy walking over to come see us as we were setting up. He joked with Tony and me about using his cane to help us get around. He knew Tony and I have both been on the mend. It was just his way of welcoming us to Gaylesville.
As Buddy’s obituary reads, his influence reached far beyond seasons and scoreboards. He was a friend to all who knew him.
We’re all going to miss seeing our friend, and that Yankee cap he wore, come around.
