Patience Knight, a 2010 dual wildlife, fisheries and range management graduate from Texas Tech University’s Department of Natural Resources Management, has been selected for the Texas Tech 2022 Hall of Fame Class, report university athletics department officials. The track and field shot put star will be formally inducted on Friday (Oct. 28) and will be honored prior to kick off the following day when the Red Raiders host Baylor at Jones AT&T Stadium.

“Patience is among the brightest and most accomplished students I’ve had the honor of knowing,” said Robert Cox, Davis College’s Interim Associate Dean for Academic and Student Programs. “She was outstanding in every topic. Not only could she remember the facts that were discussed in class, but she excelled at integrating those facts into new situations to solve novel problems. I’m very happy to know that she’s being recognized for her athletic accomplishments, and I also hope everyone understands that her academic and personal achievements are just as outstanding.”

The Stockton, California native currently serves as a wildlife research technician at Alabama A&M University, where she has earned a master of science from the Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences. Knight also plays a key role in the research being conducted on the Paint Rock Forest Dynamics Project in the Sharp-Bingham Nature Preserve.

Her duties include directing the field work for the project's census, and working in the group's educational and wildlife research programs. She also works on the board of the Paint Rock Forest Research Center, a non-profit organization whose mission is to conduct cutting-edge research and train the new generation of natural scientists and natural resource managers.

Knight was known for her inspiration off the track for as much as on it. Diagnosed with a cancerous tumor near her heart in February 2007, Knight battled through chemotherapy and radiation therapy, all while attending class and still competing at an elite level with Tech’s track and field program, ultimately setting a school record in the shot put at that year's NCAA Indoor Championships. 

She still controls the top-three spots on the Texas Tech indoor chart and the No. 5-7 places for the shot put in the outdoor record book following her Red Raider career. She secured her legacy as one of Texas Tech’s all-time greats with four Big 12 titles in the shot put after taking the top spot at the 2008-2009 outdoor championships and the 2008-2009 indoor championships. 

Knight’s life story earned her recognition at the national level as she was presented the 2009 Honda Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top female athlete who displays outstanding perseverance in the face of extreme obstacles. The annual, national award is given to the best collegiate female athlete in each of 12 sports.

CONTACT: Warren Conway, Bricker Endowed Chair in Wildlife Management and Chairperson, Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-6579 or warren.conway@ttu.edu

0718NM22 / PHOTO: Helen A. Czech