Laurier Athletics - Waterloo Campus

At the start of the 2016 season, Michael Knevel was a backup quarterback on Laurier's roster. After 2.5 games, Knevel was inserted into the lineup on September 17 against Carleton which was tied 7-7 at the half. Laurier won that game 17 to 16. 

Knevel went on to win four of his next five starts in the regular season. Laurier averaged almost 43 points per game during that span. 

In a semi-final victory over McMaster, Knevel had a key 65-yard run near the end of the game to clinch a close 21-19 victory. In the Yates Cup the following week, Knevel lead the Hawks to victory with one of the greatest comebacks in U SPORTS history. Trailing 40 to 19 with less than 9 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, Knevel threw three TD passes which helped Laurier defeat Western 43-40 on the final play of the game. 

In less than two full seasons as a starter, Knevel threw for 4,862 yards and 34 touchdowns. Unfortunately, due to an injury late in the 2017 season, Knevel missed the playoffs that year.

After finishing school, Knevel returned to his hometown of Brantford, Ontario where he began coaching at his former high school (Pauline Johnson Secondary School) and with the Brantford Bisons of the OSFL. 

Following the example of service set by his family members (his uncle was a police officer, his dad a doctor, and his mom a nurse), he knew he wanted to give back to his community too and be a role model to mentor youth. Thus, he became a police officer, following the same career path as two of his Laurier backfield teammates, Levondre Gordon and Osayi Iginuan.