Michael R. Kassnove

Michael Robert Kassnove played for three championship football teams during his time at Emory & Henry. The 2010 Sports Hall of Fame inductee was a standout defensive end who transferred to E&H after his freshman year at Eastern Carolina.

The Wasps won the ODAC championship in the 1996-98 seasons. In 1997, Emory & Henry had the number one rushing defense, scoring defense, and total defense in the ODAC. Kassnove set the ODAC record for most quarterback sacks in a season with 16.5 and received Second Team All-America honors. He was also named to the All-ODAC and the All-State teams.

The 1998 E&H squad led the ODAC in rushing defense, pass efficiency defense, total defense (231.2 yards per game) and scoring defense (only allowing 13 points per game). Kassnove was appointed captain and ended the season with All-ODAC, all-state, and First Team All-America honors. He had 31.5 career sacks, which is second on the college’s all-time list.

After graduating, Kassnove became an insurance agent.