Veteran Coaches Say 'Goodbye' to Penn College Athletics
Published 03.05.2013
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With a combined tenure of 26 years, women’s volleyball head coach Bambi A. Hawkins and men’s cross-country head coach Michael J. Paulhamus have announced their retirement from their respective positions at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
“Both of these coaches have brought much success to Penn College,” said Director of Athletics Scott E. Kennell. “I cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for what they have done here and how much they will be missed. The type of dedication and excellence they have exhibited is something that will be hard to replace.”
Since the fall of 2000, Hawkins has guided the Lady Wildcats to nine consecutive postseason appearances that include conference championships in 2004 and 2012. She has been named Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year and has led a program that has had 25 all-conference players. In 2011, her team earned its first-ever bid to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament in Louisville, Ky. It was followed by another national berth this past season, this time to Canton, N.Y. She ends her Penn College career with an impressive 184-113 (.619) record.
“Women’s volleyball has been a top-performing team and is well-respected around the league and in the area, and that is attributed to the type of coach Bambi is,” Kennell said. “She is a strong leader and knows the game.”
Hawkins, a native of Bend, Ore., graduated from Penn College with a bachelor's degree in applied health studies and is a nationally recognized paramedic through the Williamsport Hospital and Medical Center Paramedic Training Institute. She works as a full-time learning lab coordinator in the Paramedic Technology department at Penn College.
Paulhamus, also at the helm of the program since 2000, has had one of the most storied careers at Penn College. Over the past 10 years, his men’s teams have captured consecutive conference championships; women's teams have added two to the mix. He has been named Coach of the Year 12 times between the two teams. In 2009, Paulhamus led the men’s team to its best finish as runner-up at the USCAA National Championships. The team has been dominant, winning 43 consecutive conference meets from 2003-12.
“Mike will go down as one of the best coaches in Penn College history,” Kennell said. “To capture 10 consecutive championships is no easy feat, but he is such a great coach and is dedicated to that team that his runners continually perform and improve at a high level due to his tutelage.”
A native of the area, Paulhamus graduated from Williamsport Area High School and attended Lock Haven University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. He is retired from the state Department of Welfare.
“We are saying 'Goodbye' to two of the finest coaches,” Kennell added. “However, they will always be a part of the Penn College family and I know they will continue to show their support for the programs and be a presence in the Wildcat community.”
“Both of these coaches have brought much success to Penn College,” said Director of Athletics Scott E. Kennell. “I cannot express the amount of gratitude I have for what they have done here and how much they will be missed. The type of dedication and excellence they have exhibited is something that will be hard to replace.”
Since the fall of 2000, Hawkins has guided the Lady Wildcats to nine consecutive postseason appearances that include conference championships in 2004 and 2012. She has been named Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year and has led a program that has had 25 all-conference players. In 2011, her team earned its first-ever bid to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament in Louisville, Ky. It was followed by another national berth this past season, this time to Canton, N.Y. She ends her Penn College career with an impressive 184-113 (.619) record.“Women’s volleyball has been a top-performing team and is well-respected around the league and in the area, and that is attributed to the type of coach Bambi is,” Kennell said. “She is a strong leader and knows the game.”
Hawkins, a native of Bend, Ore., graduated from Penn College with a bachelor's degree in applied health studies and is a nationally recognized paramedic through the Williamsport Hospital and Medical Center Paramedic Training Institute. She works as a full-time learning lab coordinator in the Paramedic Technology department at Penn College.
Paulhamus, also at the helm of the program since 2000, has had one of the most storied careers at Penn College. Over the past 10 years, his men’s teams have captured consecutive conference championships; women's teams have added two to the mix. He has been named Coach of the Year 12 times between the two teams. In 2009, Paulhamus led the men’s team to its best finish as runner-up at the USCAA National Championships. The team has been dominant, winning 43 consecutive conference meets from 2003-12.“Mike will go down as one of the best coaches in Penn College history,” Kennell said. “To capture 10 consecutive championships is no easy feat, but he is such a great coach and is dedicated to that team that his runners continually perform and improve at a high level due to his tutelage.”
A native of the area, Paulhamus graduated from Williamsport Area High School and attended Lock Haven University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. He is retired from the state Department of Welfare.
“We are saying 'Goodbye' to two of the finest coaches,” Kennell added. “However, they will always be a part of the Penn College family and I know they will continue to show their support for the programs and be a presence in the Wildcat community.”