Knapstein Hired as First Athletic Director

St. Michael Catholic High School is proud to announce that its founding Athletic Director and Assistant Principal will be Paul Knapstein, currently of McGill-Toolen, where he serves as CYO Director and Head Girls’ soccer coach. Coach Knapstein has also been hired as Head Girls’ Soccer coach of St. Michael. He will begin working formally for the school in June.

Knapstein has over twenty-two years of professional experience in teaching, coaching and directing athletic programs, the majority of which have been in Catholic high schools. Prior to his current position, he has coached a variety of sports, including football, softball, wrestling, weightlifting, soccer and track. He is certified as a History teacher, with a BA in History and an MA in Educational Administration.

“Coach Knapstein is a ‘home run’ for St. Michael on a number of levels,” says Faustin Weber, St. Michael principal. “Since 2008, he’s been with McGill as a coach, teacher and administrator, so he has an insider’s view on how to build a su ccessful Catholic high school athletic program. As CYO Director since 2012, he understands the needs of younger athletes and their families and he knows just about everybody. He’s coached multiple sports for both men and women’s high school teams and has been quite successful as McGill’s head girls’ soccer coach since 2010, taking three teams to the “final four” at the 6A/7A level and being named as “Coach of the Year” in 2012.

“But beyond his athletic credentials, “ Weber reflects, “he’s a good man, who cares deeply for the welfare and spiritual development of the students in his care. I am confident that Coach Knapstein will promote our school’s mission to bring students closer to the Lord and serve as the foundation for a successful, competitive athletic program at St. Michael. “

“I am honored and excited to become a member of the St. Michael community” says Knapstein. This is a special time for us on the Eastern Shore, and I look forward to building a competitive program with our coaches, players, teachers, parents, Booster Club and the entire Cardinal community.”

Coach Knapstein will retain his current duties as CYO Director and Soccer Coach at McGill until June, but will be working informally with St. Michael until that time. “Our priorities are pretty straight-forward,” Knapstein continues. “We need good coaches and student-athletes, and we'll need to raise money for starting up our program. I’ll be working with Mr. Weber to vet coaching and teaching candidates and with our Booster Club to raise money. As for student athletes, I am convinced St. Michael is going to be a special place, and I encourage families to enroll their sons and daughters here. You can only be first once, and our first athletes will be the founders of our program. That’s something they can brag about forever.”

Knapstein and his wife of 21 years, Amanda, live in Daphne. They have three children: Chase (19), Eva (17) and Smith (10). They are members of St. Mary Parish.

To contact Knapstein, email him at stmichaelathleticdirector@gmail.com.