Mrs. Melinda Knight (center) made a $5,000 gift to establish the Dr. John E. Knight Baseball Scholarship at Arkansas State University. Receiving the check are (left) ASU Baseball Coach Keith Kessinger and Steve Watkins, ASU director of University Development.

The $5,000 gift to the ASU Foundation, Inc., represents designated memorial contributions made in honor of Dr. Knight following his death in February 2002.

The Dr. John E. Knight Baseball Scholarship, when it reaches the endowment level of $10,000, will be awarded to a full-time member of the ASU baseball team, with preference given to high school graduates from Craighead, Poinsett, Greene, Mississippi, Jackson,  Lawrence, Randolph and Cross counties.

"John played baseball as a child," Melinda Knight said. "When our son Cody was old enough to play, John began coaching. He was involved for 15 years with the Jonesboro Baseball League, and served on its board for many years. Our daughter Kristen, Cody and I believe this is a wonderful way to acknowledge John’s dedication to the local baseball program."

Dr. Knight grew up at Boydsville and graduated from Corning High School. Following his graduation from Arkansas State in 1970, Dr. Knight taught one semester at Cross County Junior High School, Mrs. Knight said. In the fall of 1971, he entered the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. After receiving his degree of optometry, he established a practice in Jonesboro in 1975 in the former Spanish Mall on Caraway Road, a practice he maintained until his death last year.

Jonesboro attorney Keith Blackman was a friend of Dr. Knight. They coached baseball together and enjoyed hunting.

"John loved baseball," Blackman said. "He loved softball, and played too. He was more of a low-key coach, helping kids work on the fundamentals of baseball. He was really interested in the mechanics of the game.

"Kids loved him. It was not unusual for him to buy equipment for kids who needed it. He had a pitching mound and home plate constructed in his backyard where kids could come and practice, from the time they were 7,8 and 9-year-olds to 18-year-olds. He was very generous at heart. That’s just the kind of guy he was. He would be pleased about the scholarship, because it encourages collegiate activity for Arkansas baseball players."

Keith Kessinger, ASU baseball coach, said the university’s baseball program is proud to be affiliated with the Knight scholarship.

"We are very honored to have the Dr. John Knight academic scholarship established for Arkansas State’s baseball program," he noted. "Dr. Knight provided immeasurable and valuable service to this university."

Mrs. Knight said memorials represent gifts from colleagues, friends, family and former patients of her husband.

"He would be so pleased to be remembered by others interested in helping a local young person to pursue a dream of playing university baseball while earning a degree."

To contribute to the scholarship, interested persons may send their gift to the ASU Foundation, P.O. Box 1990, State University AR 72467-1990 or call (870) 972-3940 or toll-free (888) 225-8343 for more information. The check should be made payable to the ASU Foundation, with a notation that the gift is for the Dr. John E. Knight Baseball Scholarship. All gifts to the ASU Foundation are tax deductible.

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