JEFFERSON TWP — Dave Bracco and Fred Bernard left their marks on Knoch athletics through their lengthy careers at the school.

Now Knoch High School is returning the favor.

The school will introduce the Dave Bracco Athletic Director's Award, which will be given to the senior male and female athletes of the year, and the Bernard Award, which will be given to Knoch's top girls track and field athlete, during a ceremony April 13 at the football stadium.

“The ceremony is to honor these two gentlemen,” Knoch cross country and track coach Wess Brahler said. “The awards will be presented to the kids later in the school year.”

Coaches of varsity sports at Knoch can nominate one senior from their teams. All coaches then will vote to determine the winners. One male and female athlete will be honored during the school's awards banquet in May.

Bracco served as athletic director at Knoch from 1980 to 2003. He was a history teacher in the South Butler School District for 30 years.

Bracco also served as a running backs coach for 11 years and was on the staff of the 1978 Knoch football team that won the WPIAL title. He coached sprinters on the track team for 12 years.

Bernard was Knoch's girls track coach from 1971 to 2003, compiling a record of 151-91-1. He coached three WPIAL champions: Jen Crouch, Amy McCall and Amanda Cooper.

Crouch was the state javelin champion in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

“Her senior year, Jen was the No. 1 javelin thrower in the United States,” Bernard said. “Going with her to the Olympic Training Center was the highlight of my career.”

Bracco said his proudest achievement was being named State Regional Athletic Director of the Year in 2000.

Bracco considers his name being connected to Knoch's athlete of the year an honor just as large.

“I'm very humbled about that,” he said. “You don't see many athletic directors lasting a long time in that position because of the demands on your time.

“I was very hands-on most of my years with that job. You didn't have assistants or secretaries in that office back then.”

Bernard recalled being one of the first males to coach a girls team when he took over the squad in 1971.

“I received the best piece of advice from my wife, Judie,” he said. “We have two daughters and she told me to coach the girls just like I would like our two girls to be coached by somebody.”

“Both of these guys deserve this recognition,” Brahler said. “Their names should be tied to these awards because of the ongoing impact their efforts made on this school.”