Dr. James Knecht has been a Northwestern State team physician since 1984. He finished his pre-med curriculum from LSU in 1975.
While at LSU, he was an Academic All-SEC and Academic All-American football player in 1974.
He has been in private practice family medicine in Natchitoches since 1982. In addition to being Northwestern’s team physician, he has also been Natchitoches Central’s team physician since 1992. At the 2016 university commencement, Knecht was presented an honorary doctorate in recognition of his long service to the university by NSU President Dr. Jim Henderson.
Dr. Knecht is actively involved in many professional organizations, including the Natchitoches Parish Medical Society, Active Staff Physicians at Natchitoches Parish Hospital, and the Louisiana State Medical Society. He is also a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice.
His father, Gene, was an assistant football coach at Northwestern State and has been active in the Graduate N Club for three decades. His brother, Brett, is a three-year football letterman who served as Joe Delaney’s fullback.
Knecht’s wife, Liz, is a CPA and an internal auditor at NSU. The couple has three chilrden - Ashley, Amanda and Landon - and two grandchildren, Ryder and Ian.
