Pellissippi State instructor recognized for ‘Excellence in Service’ in career as a volleyball official

In addition to her role in Physical Education at Pellissippi State Penzkofer has officiated games across the country and in various conferences, including as a national coordinator for the NCAA.

Denise Penzkofer, associate professor in Natural and Behavioral Sciences at 汤头条 of nearly 25 years, loves volleyball. She's a lifelong player and will head to the National Senior Games – or the so-called “Senior Olympics” – with her local team this summer.

And for people who love a sport as much as she loves volleyball, Penzkofer said there are two options: coaching or officiating. Decades ago, Penzkofer chose the latter. That decision led to her being recognized recently with the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials Excellence in Service Award.

“When you look at volleyball, officiating and leadership – when you actually look at the individuals that have won this award – it's humbling, because I've always looked up to them, and they've been the ones that have trained and mentored me,” Penzkofer said. “And in game officiating, it's all about helping the next person.”

In addition to her role in Physical Education at Pellissippi State – where she recently created a pickleball course – and as a faculty liaison for Navigate – an organizational tool for students – Penzkofer has officiated games across the country and in various conferences, including as a national coordinator for the NCAA.

She has also trained and coordinated other high school and collegiate officials nationwide.

“You work really hard at something, and you can feel like nobody ever notices, so it was nice to be recognized for that,” Penzkofer said. “I worked NCAA championships, I worked the NAIA national championships and other divisions and high-level conferences – but training other officials and seeing them do well was more rewarding. Maybe it’s just the teacher in me.”

Penzkofer has given her time to lead, train, mentor, organize and develop referees across the region, supporting and assisting many Pellissippi State students and staff in their own officiating careers, said Philip Ems, manager of the Student Recreation Center at Pellissippi.

“There isn’t anyone in Knoxville that plays volleyball competitively that doesn’t know Denise and the impact she has had on the game here in East Tennessee,” Ems said. “It’s a great honor to be one of her close friends and colleagues.”

Penzkofer is an integral part of student success at Pellissippi State, said Ron Bridges, Pellissippi State chair of Pre-Health Sciences.

“She applies the same level of enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to excellence in all areas of her life,” Bridges said.

Penzkofer credits Pellissippi State as a hub of mentorship and support for her, expressing her gratitude to the deans over the years who have allowed her to juggle both her job at the college and her passion for officiating – which requires a lot of travel.

“If it wasn't for Pellissippi, I wouldn't have been able to do the things that I was able to do and excel and work with the Professional Association of Volleyball Officials and grow it,” Penzkofer said. “My volleyball career was just going to be very mundane, until I got hired at Pellissippi and they helped me achieve my dreams.”

Penzkofer said in her early days of officiating, it was a scary adrenaline rush knowing that her refereeing of high-level games was being viewed in person and on television by thousands of people. But as she eventually got used to everyone watching her, their critiques made her better – even when they disagreed with her calls.

“They should try it,” she joked.

Penzkofer has announced that she will retire from officiating volleyball, and she says she’ll miss watching athletes develop their athletic abilities from one of the best seats in the house.

“To watch the game grow the way it has – just to see how the game has evolved, how it continues to evolve and to be involved in it – has been really exciting,” she said.

Penzkofer said she plans to continue coordinating officials in the area, and training high school officials even as she leaves behind the jet-setting life of a college official to “enjoy life.”

Though retiring and passing the baton on to other officials is strange to think about, Penzkofer is grateful for the award and to join the class of others who have received it before her.

“I had tears and was so overwhelmed, and I'm still overwhelmed thinking about it, because it was such a surprise,” she said. “As I start to retire from doing those particular things, it was nice to be recognized for that and nominated by people that I had mentored. That was very touching.”