The mission of the UNF Alumni Association is to champion a life-long relationship between the University of North Florida and its alumni.
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ALT Philip Knowles (’19) led the UNF Men’s Golf squad to NCAA Regional appearances in all four seasons, in addition to two National Championship outings. He was named to the ASUN All-Decade team after the Ospreys won the league in 2018 and 2019.
ALT Knowles earned All-American status and capped off his career with ASUN Player of the Year honors. After joining the Korn Ferry Tour, he finished runner-up at the Albertsons Boise Open and earned his PGA Tour Card.
ALT Navia Penrod (’18) spent her four-year career with UNF Softball, finishing her tenure in dramatic fashion as she set the ASUN Conference record for most career hits in her final at-bat. She earned two ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors, three first team ASUN recognitions, three all-academic laurels, an NFCA All-Region selection, two all-ASUN tourney nods.
ALT The 2B/OF finished first in UNF program history for career hits (285), batting average (.404), on-base percentage (.451), and stolen bases (83)). After earning her Ph.D. in education, she’s served as a teacher, published a memoir, and recently got engaged.
ALT Hailing from the Bolles School, Jay Bolt (’17) bolstered the defense of the ASUN Champion Men’s Soccer team. He was named defensive player of the year in 2015 and 2016, and earned four ASUN All-Conference and three NSCAA Southeast All-Region selections. After graduation, he spent time playing with the Charleston Battery of the USL before entering the coaching realm. He now serves as the head coach for The Episcopal School of Jacksonville.
ALT Speaking of that Men’s Soccer team, the entire 2015 team has been inducted for their historic season. Coach of the Year Derek Marinatos led the Ospreys to a 7-1-1 home record and an undefeated league play. The Ospreys routed USC Upstate 7-0 in the title match to advance to their first NCAA Championship. They set the DI-era single season record for points, goals and wins, eight Ospreys took home all-conference honors and Helge Pietschmann was named ASUN Tournament MVP.
ALT As the first scholarship player for UNF Men’s Soccer, Mark Cagnassola (’95, ’97) has always supported Osprey athletics. A fixture in the Jacksonville/Jax Beach area, Mark put his degrees to work as an Ameriprise financial planner. With unrivaled passion for the university and its athletics programs, Cagnassola has helped cultivate relationships with countless donors and sponsors.
ALT Becky (De Jong) Lorig (’99) helped lead the Ospreys to consecutive Peach Belt Conference titles in 1997 and 1998. The outside hitter set the single season kills record with 549 on her way to a 1,702 kill career, second most in program history. An All-American Farm Team pick and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship selection, DeJong finished her career with all-conference and all-tourney honors. After moving around a bit, she now lives in Oregon with her husband Joe, a Ducks football coach, and their three children.
