Hall of Fame
Kathi Penczak was a multi-sport athlete from 1977 to 1979 at the University of Charleston, which was previously known as Morris Harvey College until it was renamed on December 13,1978. While pursuing a bachelor's degree in Industrial Recreation, Penczak juggled basketball, tennis, and softball; however, she is best known for her prowess on the basketball court. Throughout the '77-'78 basketball season, she helped Charleston dominate the court resulting in a 25-5 overall record and a 15-0 record in conference play.
Penczak continued to help the Golden Eagles continue with their winning ways through the '78-'79 season as UC was crowned WVIAA regular season and tournament champions. These victories advanced the Golden Eagles onto a historic AIAW National Tournament where they left their mark as the first women's basketball team from West Virginia to ever make a national tournament with a finish in the Elite Eight. Although falling just short of a national championship, the team finished their season ranked seventh nationally.
Throughout her time at the University of Charleston, Penczak received WVIAA All-Tournament honors during the '77-'78 and '78'-'79 seasons. Today, Penczak resides in Union County, New Jersey where she is a self-employed construction professional specializing in carpentry.Â
