Limouze and Knight Are Worthy of Praise
By Mike Muska

As the winter season comes to an end, two very special students — seniors John Limouze and James Knight — deserve recognition for the honors they have earned while representing Oberlin College. They have traveled different paths to get where they are today and will travel different roads in the years ahead, but both represent what is good about college athletics at this institution.

Last winter, Limouze captured the NCAA Division III title in the 200 Butterfly, and will defend that title on March 17 in Buffalo. He already captured his second conference title in this event in February over two of his chief rivals on the national level from Kenyon. Limouze used his usual come from behind approach, strategically spotting competitors a body-plus lead over the first hundred, then charged back over the last hundred to catch the field. It generates excitement every time he does it.

That same excitement was evident each time Knight let a shot fly from three point land. The crowd would roar in anticipation as the ball floated through the air and sailed through the net. Equally exciting was watching his athletic ability as he drove toward the basket, set sail into the air, and dropped the ball below him in the hoop. Knight led a resurgence of the team this winter, as they combined for more wins than in the past three seasons combined. He led the conference in scoring, finished near the top of the league in rebounding and earned first team All-NCAC honors.

To look at Limouze makes you wonder what great physical and mental attributes have brought him success. A bit heavier than the typical swimmer, Limouze was passed over by the Miami of Ohio coach in the recruiting battles, and took great pride in defeating their swimmers each year in his specialty as he earned his NCAA cuts. He likes to joke about how opponents dislike getting beaten by “the fat guy.” 

Limouze came to Oberlin with Yeoman roots, with his mother and father both graduates of the class of 1972. With his final choices narrowed down to Kenyon and Oberlin, the deciding factor turned out to be his senior prom. Scheduled to visit Oberlin the next day after the prom after staying out until 4 a.m., and too tired to visit, Limouze felt the easiest way to avoid the visit was to simply commit to Oberlin and not have to explain to Head Coach Dick Michaels why he wasn’t coming that weekend.

The soft-spoken Knight looks every part the athlete, but the scholarship offers he hoped for from Brother Rice High School in Chicago never materialized. Knight appreciated the patient recruiting by Oberlin assistant Punnel Gray, as Knight wanted the quality education Oberlin could offer. Moreover, Oberlin got him just far enough away from Chicago.

Knight’s senior season almost didn’t take place. After two successful years at Oberlin, where he was selected NCAC Newcomer of Year and honorable mention All-Conference both years, Knight wanted a break last year. Oberlin’s former coach told him he would not be welcomed back in the program if he took the year off. A change of leadership, however, gave Knight a new lease on his basketball career. Knight and his teammates blossomed under the new up-tempo style of play under Cavey.
Knight continues to focus on his studies and work in his ministry, the primary reason he wanted time off last year. Knight is an ordained minister, and his gatherings each week attract 40-50 students to a non-denominational service. With a major in religion, Knight would like to stay in the area after graduation, perhaps continuing with some work in Admissions at Oberlin or similar work to supplement his living while focusing on his religious life. Married in August and with a child on the way, Knight knows where he wants to head in the future — leading a congregation of his own.

Limouze’s future not quite as clear. He will graduate with a double major in biology and American history, with an honors project in the latter. His advisors appreciate how wonderfully organized and disciplined he is, and how he has imaginatively combined his many talents in his honors work. He approaches the NCAA next week more relaxed and confident than in seasons past. After he climbs out of the pool on March 17, Limouze will likely put swimming behind him and look for a research job in bio-physics or work at the National Institute of Health before heading on to graduate or medical school.