Pellissippi State faculty member Denise Penzkofer was honored by her alma mater for sports achievement on October 16.



Penzkofer, an associate professor who has taught at Pellissippi State since 1999, earned her undergraduate degree in physical education from Maryville College. She played multiple sports during her studies there, including volleyball, basketball and softball. Her induction onto the school’s Wall of Fame recognizes her contribution to “the tradition of MC Athletics.”

Penzkofer coordinates the College Success 1500 course and teaches physical education at Pellissippi State. She has a master’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Tennessee.

While at Maryville, she was the recipient of numerous sports-related honors: the J.D. Davis Award for outstanding student-athlete, selection twice to All-WIAC (Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) in volleyball, two-year designation as All-Conference in basketball and all-league recognition for two of her three seasons in softball.

Although Penzkofer has been acknowledged for accomplishments in more than one sport, it’s volleyball that has brought her respect on the national level. She is one of only two referees in Tennessee certified by the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials as a national volleyball official. That means she is approved to travel anywhere in the U.S. to Division I, II and III women’s volleyball games to serve as a referee.

Penzkofer officiates primarily at Division I matches, at schools in the Southeastern, Southern and Atlantic Sun conferences. In December 2008, she worked her first national championship match. Penzkofer was the second referee in the final game of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championship. The event took place in Sioux City, Iowa—not a short trip for a full-time college professor who referees primarily on the weekends.

Penzkofer is excited by having been recognized once again for her accomplishments: “[Being inducted] is an honor, one of the largest I’ve been a part of. Any athlete at MC is aware of the significance of the individuals on the wall—I always looked to see who was there.”