Jennifer "Gigi" DesLauriers-Knop (2003) - Hall of Fame - St. Cloud State University Athletics

Jennifer "Gigi" DesLauriers-Knop

Induction:
2003
Class:
1993

Apple Valley, MN Jennifer "Gigi" DesLauriers-Knop was a two-sport athlete at St. Cloud State University from 1988 through 1993. On SCSU's volleyball team, she gained four letters from 1988-91 and served as a team captain in 1990 and 1991. She gained All-Region accolades in 1989 and was picked to the All-NCC team in 1989 and 1990. A three-time selection on the NCC's All-Academic team in volleyball, she was also picked as a GTE Academic All-District V selection in 1990. She still ranks among the team's top 10 leaders in several statistical categories, including career kills (7th with 1,123), career kill attempts (4th with 3,162), career service aces (6th with 150) and career solo blocks (6th with 68). DesLauriers-Knop met with equal success as a member of SCSU's track and field team from 1989-93. The school's current high jump record holder in both the indoor and outdoor high jumps, she won the NCAA Division II indoor high jump championship in 1992. She also gained a third place finish in the high jump at both the NCAA Division II indoor and outdoor meets in 1991. A team captain in 1992 and 1993, DesLauriers-Knop gained the team's Most Inspirational Award in 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993. In addition to her high jump heroics, she owns the current school records in the indoor 500-meter run and the indoor 600-meter run. In 1993, she was selected as a GTE District V All-Academic performer, and is the namesake of SCSU's track and field MVP award. A 1993 graduate of SCSU, DesLauriers-Knop served as assistant track coach at the University of St. Thomas from 1994-96 and was an administrative and marketing assistant at Cost Planning & Management International from 1993-94. She worked from 1994-97 with McCracken Brooks Communications and has worked with Northwest Airlines in its passenger marketing department since 1998. A volunteer at the Greenleaf Elementary School in Apple Valley and Holy Name Church in Minneapolis. DesLauriers-Knop is married to John Knop and they have three children: Alec, Colleen, and Emma.