2026 Honoree
Ty Knamm
The East Utica Optimist Club, in partnership with the Race Committee and Meet Directors, is proud to honor Ty Knamm as the 2026 Meet Honoree of the 83rd E. J. Herrmann Interscholastic Cross-Country Invitational.
Ty Knamm, a native of New Hartford, NY, is a 1987 graduate of Holland Patent High School. He continued his education at Herkimer College and SUNY Cortland, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees.
For more than 31 years, Ty has dedicated his career to the Rome City School District, where he has taught health education at the middle school level while also serving as a coach for cross country, wrestling, and track & field programs. His commitment to student-athletes and youth development has made a lasting impact on countless students throughout the community
A longtime member of the Roman Runners, Ty has been affiliated with the E.J. Herrmann Cross Country Meet since 1993, contributing to one of Central New York's premier cross-country traditions. He currently resides in Rome, New York with his wife, Amanda, and their children, Wyatt and Madeline.
Outside of his professional and coaching responsibilities, Ty enjoys fishing and gardening. In recognition of his longstanding commitment to youth athletics and the E.J. Herrmann Invitational, he was selected as the 2026 E.J. Herrmann Honoree.
Past Honorees
Ambruso, Richard F. (2013)
Bernard, John (2012)
Briggs, Edward (2004)
Chwazik, Gerard (2009)
Chwazik, Ted (1998)
Ciccolella, Gene (2023)
Convertino, John (2006)
D'Allesandro, David (2002)
DeLude, Bill (1999)
Dodge, Brian (1999)
Ferris, Fred (2007)
Ficcaro, Joseph (2004)
Gentile, Joe (2009)
Giglio, Robert (Bob) (2021)
Gratch, Sam (2004)
Graziano, Philip A. (2025)
Grimaldi, Vin (2017)
Hoffman, Jeff (2008)
Hoffstetter, Leonard (2002)
Hogan, Chris (2005)
Lupia, Ralph (2002)
Marraffa, John M., Sr. (2015)
Morrisroe, Kevin (2017)
Nastasi, Richard J. (2015)
Paniccia, Santo (2006)
Petrillo, Theodore (Ted), Jr (2008)
Philpotts, Steven (2018)
Pitarresi, John (2014)
Polera, Ralph (2011)
Pritchard, Scott (2004)
Przybylski, Ed (2003)
Putrello, Pat (2010)
Roefaro, Frank L., Jr. (2024)
Rubin, Howard (2004)
Testa, Mello (2003)
Torchia, Tom (2022)
Wells, Tom (2010)
Willenburg, Rev. Msgr. Francis J. (2007)
Williamson, Mark (2019)
Zangrilli, Raymond (2016)
The Lions Club (2000)
The Utica City School District (2000)
The Municipal Government of the City of Utica (2000)
The Running Community of Utica:
The American Heart Association (2001)
The Falling Leaves Road Race (2001)
The National Distance Running Hall of Fame (2001)
The Utica Developmental Runs (2001)
