Jack Bionda would be proud. There is no doubt that he would be very proud of his grandson Jason Knox, or “Jase”, as he is called by his family and close friends, who has been getting a lot of notice of late from NCAA lacrosse scouts across the United States.
Jack Bionda, of course, is a lacrosse legend. His uncanny abilities on the lacrosse floor are well documented and a lot of those skills have apparently been picked up by Jason.
Although Jack Bionda died before Jason was born, his legacy is alive and well. “My grandfather has been a major influence on all aspects of my life,” Jason said. “He passed away a year before I was born but his legacy and stories still are told around my household. Stories have always been told to me about how great of a man Jack was, so that has always inspired me to be respectful and kind and to try and follow his footsteps in the lacrosse realm. People have always told me about his stick skills and his knowledge for the game so the way he inspires me in lacrosse is to always get better and remember that lacrosse is a team sport.”
Jack Bionda
Jason’s dad, Kevin Knox, admits there are some uncanny similarities between how the two Js play the game. “Jason has adopted, though of course not perfected, quite a few of Jack’s moves and scoring prowess,” said Kevin. “His advanced stick skills and uncanny fakes are a lot like Jack’s. I was playing catch with Jason at the end of the summer and he was throwing in the odd fake pass, and the way he rolled his wrists over to make the ball stay in his stick when it looked like he had actually made the pass really reminded me of playing catch with Jack years ago. It is those stick skills that he uses in a game situation that baffles defenders and goalies alike, which is really standing out with a number of NCAA scouts this year. That, and his innate ability to see the field of play, anticipate his teammates being open for a pass and getting them the ball.”
Obviously, the making of a Division 1 lacrosse player isn’t all genetics. Growing up in a lacrosse family that lives and breathes the sport is apt to inspire a budding athlete as well. As Jason’s mom, Jocelyn Knox, explains it, Jason had a lacrosse stick in his hand almost from the time he could walk.
Jase was less than two years of age when he was catching and throwing the lacrosse ball against a wall, mostly trying to keep up to his older brother Duke (by three years) and Duke’s friends on the Tasty Creem Tykes. I would say most of dad’s (Jack’s) influence would come through the family time we spend together throwing the ball around with his two brothers, his cousins and uncles and Kevin. That is when they’d talk about and try the inventive moves dad did.Jocelyn Knox
Jason has had an exceptional season so far. He has just completed an action-packed November that has six NCAA schools looking at him.
Knox began his push for lacrosse recognition after coming back in July from a collarbone injury. He got the go-ahead from his doctors just in time to enter qualifying play for the U18 Ontario field lacrosse team. He was named the first midfielder to the First Nations tournament All-Canadian team after leading Ontario to gold at the Men’s Field Lacrosse National Championships.
He then returned to St. Andrews College in Aurora this fall, where he is attending grade 11 classes on a bursary.
In addition to his studies, Knox played in three exposure weekend tournaments in the U.S. in November, attended by recruiters from the top NCAA lacrosse schools.
The first weekend Knox played in the Inside Lacrosse Fall Recruiting tournament in Baltimore, Maryland. He played with the 2018 Evolve Elite USA team where he was described as a prolific weapon in the hardest game.
Next he competed with the 2018 Evolve Elite Canadian team at the NXT sports tournament in Beverly Hills, Michigan. Knox has been with this team for the past six years as well as playing for the Huntsville Minor Hawks Box and Field teams.
At this competition Jason entered the individual showcase, where individuals register and get put on different teams. Each player takes part in three games and a possible selection for the all-star team. Knox beat out 240 players to be chosen as the tournament MVP and also played in the all-star game. His Canadian Evolve Elite team also won all three of their games.
Jason Knox (left) being presented with the MVP award by Brett Maney, NXT tournament organizer.
On November 19 and 20, Knox played at Denver University, again with the 2018 Evolve Elite USA team. He played five games over the weekend, toured the university and again was put in front of some top NCAA school recruiters.
Those three tournaments and the help of Jason’s academic advisor, Greg Reid from St. Andrew’s College, have put him on the radar of some top NCAA Division 1 schools.
He is now pursuing schools that meet his academic requirements but which also has a great lacrosse program.
Next up is the Brogden Cup U19 tournament in Tampa, Florida, where Knox will suit up with U18 Team Ontario over the New Year holiday. Team Ontario qualified after winning the national championships in September.
Back to Jack
Jocelyn says that when Jason was younger they would tell him that “Grampa helped pick him out for us”. Who knew at the time that Jack was picking a winning lacrosse player as well as a kind-hearted, family-loving kid to help fill the roster. Jocelyn goes on to say that whether or not the similarities between their lacrosse skills is genetics, it is unique.
Every coach Jase has had comments that he has the ability to see three plays ahead of the game and can see the entire field or floor better than others. That was also said of dad and probably the most innate trait they share. For the older folks who remember dad’s lumbering run… with his one foot turned in slightly… Jason also has this too, but not as noticeable until he is on his third or fourth game of the day when he is exhausted. A lot of his training has helped with that, which dad didn’t have back in his day.Jocelyn Knox
If Jack Bionda were here today he would no doubt be beaming with the success Jason has achieved in his young career. He would also be proud to see the Bionda tradition continuing those tricky passing and scoring moves that have become legendary.
Photos supplied by the family
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He is a legend who had no idea his greatness, he is remembered. Was fortunate enough to share his floor. Greatest team player in the history of any sport. I’ve watched as six tried to stop him. Impossible to do. Bless you for keeping his legacy alive. The only Cabafianto to shut down parliament when he put on a demo of stock skills after receiving the Order of Canada.
I played with Jack both on the ice, at Lacrosse and swimming down at .the deep’. What a great man he was. I am very proud to say he was a friend.
It is not possible to make people understand his skills and intensity.