PROFILE: James C. Knight, a native of Hazelhurst, GA, attended Auburn University and was a graduate of Cumberland Law School in Alabama. After being admitted to the Florida Bar, he practiced law in the juvenile court of Dade County and represented the First National Bank of Miami.

HISTORY: His father, K.T. Robert Knight, an uncle, John C. Knight, and a brother-in-law, Joe H. Adams, acquired a substantial interest in Biscayne in the early 1930’s, and the greyhound track became the family business. While in law school in the mid 1950’s James C. Knight worked in public relations and publicity offices at Biscayne. After the deaths of his father and uncle, he became president and chief operations officer for Biscayne. He was a past president of the American Greyhound Track Operators Association.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Under his leadership, Biscayne was long recognized as a major innovator in setting the styles and trends of the greyhound industry. In 1956 the old Biscayne was demolished and a $26.5 million dollar lavish track was erected. In the mid 1950’s the average mutual handle at the track was about $18 million with attendance approximately 500,000. Thirty years later, in the mid 1980’s, the tracks handle soared to a state record $103 million with attendance better than 800,000. In 1970, he developed the concept for the $125,000 Irish American Classic, one of greyhound racing’s premier events. Biscayne was the first track to install a quiniela tote board and to provide fans with a slow motion instant replay after each race, using elaborate closed circuit television system.