THE OFFICIAL ATHLETICS SITE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA LIONS

James Knowles was selected as the kicker for the NCAA Division II Football Team of the Quarter Century (1973-97). He was named to the 50th Anniversary UNA Football Team for 1949-98.   Named to the UNA Team of the Decade for 1979-88, the First Forty Years UNA Football Team, the Gulf South Conference Team of the Decade for the 1980s and the Gulf South Conference Football Team of the Quarter Century. He was named first-team All-American by the Football News in 1985 after converting on 32-of-35 extra points and 18-of-26 field goal attempts, while leading UNA in scoring with 86 points.

A native of Montevallo, Ala., Knowles was UNA's starting place-kicker for four years and established what was then an NCAA Division II record for points scored by kicking in a career (regular-season) with 263. He set 12 school and nine Gulf South Conference records, and one NCAA record during his career. Following his senior season he ranked fourth in Division II history for career field goals made with 45. His school and GSC records included career points scored (292), career points by a kicker (292), most extra-points made and attempted in a career (139-of-149), most points by kicking in a season (86 in 1985), most field goals made in a season (18 in 1985) and most field goals attempted in a season (26 in 1984 and 1985). He also set school records with 62 consecutive successful extra-point attempts, most extra-points made in a game (7) and season (46) and the longest field goal (51 yards against West Alabama in 1985). UNA compiled a 37-7-4 record during Knowles four years as a kicker.

Graduated from UNA in 1986 with a B.S. degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Currently a high school football coach at Shelby Academy where he serves as an assistant football coach and head girl's softball and basketball coach. His girl's basketball team won the 1992 state championship.