STATE COLLEGE — A familiar face in State College area athletic circles is hanging it up.
Peggy Pennepacker, State College Area High School’s athletic director, announced recently that she would retire at the conclusion of the school year, effectively putting in six years as head of athletics in State College.
“It just comes to a point in your career when you know it’s just time,” Pennepacker said. “And, it got to that point for me. I just know it’s time.”
Pennepacker spent her entire 36-year career as an educator. She earned her bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Lock Haven University and earned a master’s degree in sports and athletic administration from West Chester University. She also attended the University of Scranton during summers while substitute teaching to earn her principal’s certificate.
“I just could never get enough education,” she said. “I enjoyed learning and making myself a better professional.”
She has come a long way since her days of substitute teaching, and it was those early days that shaped her athletic administration career.
“My first real job was as a health and physical education teacher with Blue Mountain High School in Schuylkill County,” she said. “Back then, if you were a health and physical education teacher, you coached. That’s what you did. I was actually hired there as the swimming coach, and I loved it.”
That initial foray into coaching spawned a love for teaching kids not only in the classroom, but also in the gymnasium, on the field and in the swimming pool.
“I’ve had my hand in about everything as far as sports goes,” she said. “I’ve coached softball, basketball, volleyball, even some tennis. To be honest, there really isn’t a sport I haven’t had my hand in at some point in my career.”
In 1999, Pennepacker left Blue Mountain High School to take a full-time athletic director position at a school near her hometown in Montgomery County. There, she spent five years before returning to Blue Mountain, where she was hired as assistant principal and athletic director.
“I spent two more years there before leaving for Twin Valley High School in Berks County,” she said. “I was only there a year before I took a job as an assistant principal and athletic director in Susquehanna Township in Harrisburg.”
She said that was her final position before taking the job as athletic director in State College.
“I knew I wanted to do athletics full-time, so I applied here,” she said. “I knew when I was hired I was going to finish my career here. I’m forever thankful and grateful for the time I’ve spent here in State College.”
Pennepacker said she hopes she made a difference in the past six years, even if the difference is small.
“What we do in education is about people,” she said. “Being able to work with the wonderful coaches and the student athletes was truly a pleasure. But what’s rewarding the most is watching these student athletes grow as people. I’ve been fortunate to see that happen throughout my entire career.”
Greg Wilson, SCASD boys’ golf coach, said in an email to the Gazette that he was “very surprised to hear that she is stepping down. I had a great working relationship with Peg. I believe she always had the student/athlete’s best interest in mind when making decisions. She was very supportive and encouraging in my pursuit of a head coaching position. She was a great supporter of the golf program and I will miss working with her. I wish her well in whatever she decides to pursue.”
Pennepacker said she will complete the school year, and upon retirement, continue to be involved in local athletics.
“It’s something I’ll just never get away from fully,” she said. “I’ll be here to help the district transition in the new athletic director because this job isn’t easy. State College Area School District is an important place to me, and I’d want to see only the best come for it.”
