What They are Saying about Penny Dean, Part 2

33079 — Penny Dean talks with Christine Chiricosta during a match in 2011

After 24 seasons at the helm of the Bowling Green State University tennis team, Penny Dean has announced her retirement. Her last day will be June 30. Over nearly a quarter century at the helm of the Falcons, Dean touched the lives of many people. In this, the second of multiple installments, some of those people pass along their best wishes and share some stories about her time at BG...

LINKS
PENNY DEAN PHOTO GALLERY (thanks to those who sent photos to add to the gallery)
Penny Dean Retirement Party Photo Gallery
What They are Saying About Penny Dean (Wed., June 25)

-----

"Her teams have always thought so highly of her as a coach and as a nurturer. Not only has Penny been the face of the tennis program and a leader in the athletic department, she put the swag in BGSU women's tennis!"
Jennifer Roos, BGSU Women's Basketball Coach

-----

"Penny is someone that has a great passion for coaching but also for the people around her. Ever since I started to know her better and become friends with her I knew that she is someone that I can rely on and that has a very good ability to be a realist, say things as they are but in a way that is constructive, helps you to get the best out of any situation plus nurture and help you grow personally and on professional level. I know that she has that special relationship with her athletes and that is a huge part of her success. She is not just a coach and a coworker, she is a role model, friend and has a strong compassion and straight forwardness that I always appreciated it and will continue to do so."
Petra Martin, BGSU Swimming Coach

-----

"Isn't it weird that thoughts of you and our fun times would have nothing to do with athletics - well, except we all attended the same Vegas football game where we froze our butts off. What a great time we had gambling and laughing together. We were crazy!!!!!!! Lets you and Bill and Dick and I meet sometime at Hollywood Casino - see if our luck is still there after all these years. hahaha Enjoy your retirement to the fullest and visit those grands as often as you can.
CONGRATS - you're the best.
Hugs, Linda C."
Linda Canterbury, Retired, BGSU Athletics

-----

33090 — Dean & members of her team at the
2008 MAC Championships banquet

"Congrats on all your success. The longevity and career you have had is remarkable. Good luck as you embark on your new journey."
Jermaine Truax, BGSU Associate AD for Compliance and Administration

-----

"I've really enjoyed working with Penny the past several years and will miss working with her on a daily basis. She has helped me not only learn more about the great sport of tennis but also to be a better sports administrator as well. My best wishes go to her and Bill in the next stage of their lives. "
Mark Shook, BGSU Associate AD / Sport Administrator for Tennis

-----

"Oh! Penny, Penny, Penny, Penny, Penny, Penny, Penny…
What is the world to become now that it has your undivided attention?
I'll tell you!
Given your enthusiasm and zest for life, those potentially inclement weather days, will come alive with sunshine from your smile and laughter. In Penny's World there is little/no wind to take away those baseline lob shots because of her positive and upbeat attitude. Penny you make every day encouraging and fun for those around you.
Congratulations and thank you for making the BGSU Women's Tennis a model programs within intercollegiate athletics for others to emulate. Under your leadership the "Lady Falcons" over the years have been fierce competitors that played with intensity, but always with a sense of fair play and integrity. The young athletes that you coached and mentored over your career are better people in every aspect of today's society, because of their association with Coach Dean.
The friendships you have forged with professionals within the tennis industry, colleagues/coaches from other schools, as well as those of us within the BGSU community is a testimony of how much you are respected and sought -out for advice by one's peers. I'm pleased to call you my friend.
Thanks, Coach Dean, for making BGSU and Falcon Athletics a better place, and for your years of dedicated service.
Ron
P.S. I've set aside a roll of quarters for use in vending machine, until you learn how to cook…good luck Bill!"
Dr. Ron Zwierlein, former BGSU AD

-----

"My favorite story about Penny Dean is when she called me telling me I was the MAC POY. Penny started off the conversation asking me where I was and I told her that I was out practicing my serve before the MAC tournament. She then proceeded to tell me that I was the POY while crying in process. I decided to tell this story because I think it is a testament to how much Penny cares about her players. Day in and day out, Penny exceeded my expectations for her as a coach. She got to know all of her players on a personal level and I think that's a big part of the reason that made her such a great coach. She knew everyone's personalities so well so she coached everyone how they liked to be coached. Some of her players like to work through a strategy together or some people just needed a few words of encouragement. Whatever it was, Penny always developed a way to connect with her players. Aside from being a great coach, I consider her a great friend because we can talk about several other things besides tennis. The best thing about Penny was the fact that she was always looking out for her players best interests. She came to work every day with a positive attitude and always acted in ways that would best benefit the team. Great career Penny, we all love you and are sad to see you go."
Sincerely,
Nikki Chiricosta, BGSU Tennis 2010-14

Check back to BGSUFalcons.com on Friday (June 27) for additional comments from Dean's former student-athletes, co-workers and friends.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

What They are Saying about Penny Dean, Part 2

Related Videos