Tap Screen To Begin

Marty Knack

Bell Memorial — Inducted 1985

Marty Knack built a respected career as a sports journalist through his strong commitment to amateur athletics and his dedication to promoting athletes and sports that often-received limited media attention.

Working primarily with the Edmonton Journal, Knack developed a reputation for covering a wide range of amateur sports through feature stories and athlete profiles. His enthusiasm for grassroots competition ensured emerging athletes and smaller sport organizations received valuable exposure within the provincial sporting community.

Knack reported on numerous major international events hosted in Edmonton, including the 1981 World University Games and international basketball competition during the 1983 Games. His versatility as a journalist was demonstrated through coverage of events such as the 1981 International Cup Baseball Tournament and the 1982 World Freestyle Wrestling Championships.

While he covered major championships, it was his daily reporting on amateur sport that made the greatest impact. Through consistent coverage of local competitions and developing athletes, Knack helped strengthen recognition and support for amateur sport across Alberta.

After Induction

Knack’s journalism career spanned more than twenty-nine years, including significant time with both the Edmonton Journal and the Edmonton Sun, where he specialized in high-performance amateur sport coverage.

During his career, he covered three Summer Olympic Games and the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, as well as two World University Games, two Commonwealth Games, two World Figure Skating Championships, and numerous Canadian national championships.

Beyond journalism, Knack made important administrative contributions to Canadian sport. He served as president of the Alberta Junior Hockey League from 1993 to 1998 and later as president of the Canadian Junior “A” Hockey League from 1998 to 2005. He also worked in media relations for the CFL Edmonton Eskimos and served as Canadian team media officer at the 1994 World Aquatics Championships in Rome.

Committed to community sport recognition, Knack was a member and chairperson of the City of Edmonton’s Salute to Excellence Awards Committee during 2004–05.

Following his passing on August 28, 2005, at the age of 62, the Alberta Junior Hockey League established the Marty Knack Award to recognize members of the media who bring honour to the league through excellence in journalism.

Awards and Honours

  • 1985 — Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Bell Memorial Inductee
  • 1991 — Sport Federation of Canada Doug Gilbert Award (Amateur Sport Coverage)
  • Marty Knack Award Established — Alberta Junior Hockey League (Posthumous Recognition)

Career Highlights

  • Journalist — Edmonton Journal (1980–1993)
  • Sports Reporter — Edmonton Sun
  • Covered Three Summer Olympic Games
  • Covered 1988 Calgary Winter Olympic Games
  • Coverage — Two Commonwealth Games and Two World University Games
  • Coverage — World Figure Skating Championships and National Championships
  • President — Alberta Junior Hockey League (1993–1998)
  • President — Canadian Junior “A” Hockey League (1998–2005)
  • Media Officer — Canadian Team, 1994 World Aquatics Championships (Rome)
  • Media Relations — CFL Edmonton Eskimos