Allison Knecht almost was in the Super Bowl

By Melanie Padgett-Powell, special contributor

Growing up, Allison Knecht was an accomplished dancer who played tennis in high school. She did not follow professional sports much. But that all changed when she stumbled across the sports marketing program at Indiana University (I.U.).

Now, this Brookville native works for the San Francisco 49ers, which just ended its playoff run one game shy of the Super Bowl. With the big game held in Indianapolis this year, Knecht was looking forward to cheering for her team at the game in her home state and celebrating with friends who live in downtown Indy.

Knecht is a 2005 graduate of Franklin County High School. She is the daughter of Ed and the late Cindy Knecht of Brookville. She first went to college at Northern Kentucky University, where she planned to major in dance. But then she transferred to I.U., where the dance program was in the same department as sports marketing. She took a few marketing classes and then nabbed an internship with the Indiana Pacers. She was hooked.

“I can’t say I was a huge sports fan [before that]. I became more of a sports fan after I got in the business, which is kind of backward,” she said. “But I think it gave me a competitive edge because I can be more focused on business”and not be a starstruck fan.

Knecht also said she believes growing up in Brookville has helped her in her career. She misses her hometown and appreciates where she came from.

“Growing up in a small town has really made me appreciate what I’ve achieved and what I can achieve. It’s grounded me,” she said.

The Pacers internship helped her land a job with the Miami Heat after college.

“May 3 I graduated, and May 10 I started my first day with the Miami Heat,” she said.

Unfortunately, her entire sales team in Miami was laid off, and she was again looking for a job. In 2011, she landed an interview with the 49ers.

“It was very intimidating,” she said. “I was probably the youngest person there. It was a group interview situation.”

Six job candidates were interviewed at one time. Knecht wasn’t sure how she did, but she was called back for what she thought was a second interview. Instead, she was offered a position as a sales coordinator for the 49ers’ planned new stadium. Construction is expected to begin this year. Knecht’s job, which began in November 2011, is to see to the needs of the season ticket holders for the new stadium. Every season ticket holder is provided a personal account representative.

“It’s so busy here, but it’s the best kind of busy. Never did I think I would love working 14-hour days,” she said. “I spend the majority of the day responding to emails. [People are] trying to make sure they get their seats and their payments in on time.”

One perk? Football. Knecht attended every 49ers game this season. And because her focus is season ticket holders for the future stadium, she didn’t have job responsibilities during the games, but could be a fan like the rest of the crowd.

But her favorite part of the job is not the glamor or the perks. It’s her co-workers, Knecht said. “I can only imagine what playing for a sports team would be like. It’s like a brotherhood. There’s a camaraderie.”

She admitted the worst part is the hours. After about three months of living in the San Francisco area, she still hasn’t had time to explore her new city.

Whether the 49ers won or lost on Sunday, Knecht said in the week leading up to the game, she was grateful to be along for the playoff excitement.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”