University of Denver Athletics

Ron Knabenbauer is in his fifth year in 2025-26 as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications and Digital Media at the University of Denver. In his current role, he leads the day-to-day media relations, social media and digital efforts of Denver's hockey, skiing and triathlon programs and assists in other athletic department initiatives as a secondary contact.

During his time at Denver, he has led public relations initiatives during the hockey program's 2022 and 2024 national championship seasons, as well as the publicity of Zeev Buium becoming the second-highest selected DU hockey player in the NHL Draft at No. 12 overall in 2024 by the Minnesota Wild. Knabenbauer also previously served as the communications contact for the Pioneers women's lacrosse team for two seasons from 2021-2023, which included the program's first-ever trip to NCAA Championship Weekend in May 2023.

In addition to the hockey team's championship-winning season in 2021-22, Knabenbauer also guided the media efforts for student-athlete Katie Hensien as she represented the United States in women's alpine skiing at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and served as the media coordinator at the DU-hosted NCAA Men's Hockey West Regional in Loveland, Colorado. He also served as the media coordinator for the Denver regional of the 2023 NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championships and assisted with operations for the 2023 Women's Gymnastics Regional at DU's Magness Arena.

Knabenbauer joined the DU staff on Aug. 16, 2021 after spending the previous nine seasons full-time in the National Hockey League with the Colorado Avalanche in the team's communications and digital media departments. During his time with the Avs, he was a part of three player jersey retirement ceremonies, two Colorado-hosted outdoor games and five Stanley Cup Playoff runs. He also provided coverage and publicity at several NHL Drafts and All-Star Weekends.

The Evergreen, Colorado, native graduated from the University of Colorado in 2011 with bachelor degrees in broadcast journalism and political science. During his time at CU Boulder, Knabenbauer worked in the school’s Sports Information Department as a student and graduate assistant and served as a secondary media contact for the football team during the 2012 season.

He resides in Highlands Ranch with his wife, Michelle.