The Art of Friendship
How a Legendary Alum Sparked an Enduring Legacy
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
To the world, he was Gary Knechtel, but to his Dickinson teammates, fraternity brothers, and friends, he was, simply “Pugs.” Today, he’s immortalized through the Pugs Foundation, an alumni-led force for good that’s generated more than $1.1 million in support of impactful initiatives at Dickinson.
Just who was this Pugs, and why does he inspire such an outpouring of love and generosity? As the Pugs Foundation enters its 15th year, we’re taking a look back at the man behind this unique Dickinson legacy and ahead toward the good work still to be done in his name.
Serious—But Funny
Knechtel, an avid Penn State football fan, was born in Greensburg, Pa., near Pittsburgh. As a student-athlete in Dickinson’s class of 1980, he declared an economics major and joined the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. He also played Red Devils football. And, as described in a locker-room plaque in his honor, Knechtel was a quintessential lineman—one who gave wholly and freely for the good of the team and also carried that spirit of loyal generosity into his life off the field.
“He loved sports, particularly football, but he loved people more,” explains Dennis Crawford ’80, who describes Knechtel as “like John Belushi in Animal House” but more soulful, loving and serious about athletics.
But not too serious. For example, when Knechtel was dubbed with the nickname “Pugs”—a good-natured ribbing referring to his perceived resemblance to the Addams Family character—he received it with characteristic jocularity. That humor and goodwill—marked by Knechtel’s ready laughter—sparked countless friendships, his friends say. For many, Knechtel’s integrity, honor and kindness sealed the deal for life.
“In my mind, if I were to go to a dictionary and look up the word ‘friend,’ I am convinced I would see a picture of Gary,” says Doug Pauls ’80. “He was the true definition of friend to me and many others, and probably the nicest person I have ever met.”
The Glue
After graduation, Knechtel returned to western Pennsylvania, raised two children with wife Janice and forged a successful career as general manager of Industrial Appraisal Co. of Pittsburgh. He also gave back to his community in Jeannette, Pa., as a football coach. And he remained in touch with Dickinson friends, faithfully placing calls, organizing get-togethers and spurring a core group of Dickinsonians to attend Alumni Weekend year after year.
That level of participation in campus events wasn’t the norm in the early years after Knechtel’s graduation. Back then, fewer fraternities and sororities maintained a presence on campus, and alumni engagement suffered for it.
But Knechtel’s draw was irresistible, says Pete Dooner ’80, a fellow Phi Kap. “He was the glue who held us together,” Dooner says.
That remained true after Knechtel’s death in 2010, at age 52, when Crawford, Dooner, Pauls and Brian Starkman ’81 joined forces to establish the Pugs Foundation. The idea was to keep Knechtel’s spirit of friendship and giving alive through annual “Puggah” gatherings and philanthropic efforts— endeavors that were deeply important to their dear late friend. The foundation’s primary fundraiser is a golf outing during the Friday of Alumni Weekend. All interested Dickinsonians are invited to take part.
Loyalty and Connection
The cornerstone of the foundation is the Gary Knechtel ’80 Memorial Scholarship. Established in 2010 by Knechtel’s friends and family, it places a Dickinson education within reach of worthy students with demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to students from Knechtel’s home region of western Pennsylvania.
Reflecting Knechtel’s passion for sports, the Pugs Foundation also has supported athletics initiatives. This includes renovations of Dickinson Park and of the Durden Athletic Training Center football and basketball locker rooms.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the foundation provided emergency funding to help students in need and to support the college’s quick remote-learning rollout. And last year the Pugs Foundation became the first group to sponsor a suite in the John M. Paz ’78 Alumni & Family Center.
Naturally, like the locker rooms and scholarship, the suite bears the Pugs name.
“It’s been incredible to see the bonds of friendship and philanthropic impact of the Pugs Foundation,” says Carlo Robustelli, vice president for college advancement. “These guys have furthered Gary’s legacy in amazing ways, paying forward the friendship, scholarship and athletic programs that enrich the student experience and forge a lifetime of loyalty and connection.”
An Alumni Weekend Tradition
But perhaps the heart of the Pugs Foundation beats within the group’s annual “Puggah” gatherings, traditionally held at Morgan Rocks and now hosted in the Paz Center. Stop by this Alumni Weekend event and you’ll hear an abundance of laughter as friends toast Knechtel’s legendary tailgates and other assorted adventures. You may also spy a tear or two.
“There are a lot of people who have this sense that Pugs was what was right in this world,” Crawford says. “We just do what Pugs would want us to —celebrate what’s good in life—camaraderie, memories and continued friendships.”
Over time, the foundation has grown from about 40 participants, mostly from the class of 1980, to more than 100 members who include alumni from 1976 through 1985. And those celebrations keep rolling on, with no signs of slowing.
“Whenever the Pugs Foundation committee leaders send out the call to financially support a particular cause at the college, they respond without fail,” Pauls says. “I think we all want to try our best to keep a smile on Gary’s face, wherever he may be.”
Read more from the summer 2024 issue of Dickinson Magazine.
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Published August 26, 2024