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Please share some of your thoughts about Pat...


 
  Wally Freytag
Thursday, May 29, 2008
What a great friend, coach and teacher Pat was.  I was so fortunate that he gave me a job at Pearce Jr. Hi.  I credit him for providing the guidance, support and encouragement in helping me in my coaching career.  I highly respected his decision making and always leaned on him for direction and help.  He was so unselfish and was always willing to go above and beyond to help the athletes.  I certainly do miss him and this Golf Tournament is a tribute to him and the scholarship to the deserving athlete would certainly make him smile. 
Wally Freytag 
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  ralph dunlap
Saturday, May 24, 2008
He was one of the best.
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  Debbie Zapata
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
I was a Double R (drill team member) in 1984. At the time it was a tradition that the drill team would bake for the football team. I was lucky enough to be the one who baked for Coach Pennington. He was always gracious about the brownies baked from the box. It was an honor to do something for him as a token for all that he gave to the team and the school.
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  Tommy Keel
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Pat coached the Reagan football "B-team" way back when I was in the 10th grade there, in 1968. My freshman year had been disaster -- I was about the scrawniest kid in my class, and I broke my arm in one of the first practice sessions that year. For some reason though, Pat let me give it another try the next year on his team, and even let me play now and then. He was the sort of coach that brought the best out of you -- he liked winning as much as anyone, but you could tell that he was even more interested in the personal development of each of his players. I went on to play on the "varsity" team at Reagan, and then some college football, but I don't remember any coach who inspired and encouraged me more than Pat (though Wally F. and Carroll L. come pretty close!).
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  Dennis Ceder
Monday, June 4, 2007
I had the unique pleasure of being coached by Coach Pennington and then to coach with him for many years. He was many things to me. As a player, he was a tremendous coach and motivator. As a colleague, he was the same...but also became my good friend. He was the only guy that could get me out to the golf course on a regular basis. He simply would not take "no" for an answer...and once I was there, I had a great time. I miss him every day of my life.
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  Donald Henderson
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
When I think of Pat I see Him as a father figure. I loved him dearly. He was a man's man who knew how to inspire and encourage. I was an offensive and defensive lineman and I was able to play well because of what he taught me. He will always be one of the most influential men in my life I learned a lot from him. I still think about him to this very day.
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  Angel Michel
Monday, May 7, 2007
Seems like just yesterday when I think about it. Can't wait for the golf tournament. Its the least I can do for all that he did for me.
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  Garry Durante
Monday, May 7, 2007
This is one of the best ideas for one of the best men I've ever known. It was an honor to know and work with Coach Pennington. There's no doubt he's playing some really nice golf courses right now! ~Garry
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  dennis swanberg
Friday, April 13, 2007
Coach Pennington was my Football Coach 68-72! He also coached me in baseball. He was the First Coach I told about my conversion to Jesus Christ in 1971! I respected him as a coach, teacher and spiritual brother in Christ! He was responsible for moving me from QB to Center my Sophomore year! And moved me from Catcher to First Base in Baseball. I excelled in both positions thanks to him. Had I stayed at QB and Catcher... I would never have reached my atheletic potential! He was a man of insight! I was honored to call him 'coach'!
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  Joni Stoughton
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
What a wonderful man! When you think of Reagan High School athletics, you automatically think of Coach Pennington!
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  Carl Pankratz
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Look forward to seeing some of the Northeast Austin gang. I am putting my foursome together with the help of others who knew Coach Pat.
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  sammy (si) seidenberger '68
Friday, March 23, 2007
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  Rob Pennington (nephew)
Friday, March 9, 2007
I remember attending one of Pat's football games while I was in college. They needed an additional person to hold one of the sideline poles that indicated which down the play was. I was so excited to be 'down on the field' helping out. But I got so engrossed in watching the game at one point that I forgot my job. A sweep play came rushing right at me and actually ran right over me! It was a potentially dangerous situation due to my lack of experience and thoughtlessness. The person with the pole was supposed to lay it down and get the heck out of the way, which I didn't. When I got knocked down, the bottom of the pole which had an arrow head type ending to stick in the ground flipped up and could have easily impalled one of the players. I could tell that Pat was so angry at the possibility of one of his players almost being hurt by my not moving. But at the same time I could tell he realized I really didn't know what I was doing. I saw all his emotion swirling inside him for a quick moment before he helped me up, brushed me off, asked if I was alright, thanked me for me helping and promptly got someone else to handle the pole. He handled a potentially disastorous situation with a quick decision to replace me while at the same time making me feel cared for helping me maintain some self worth. Pat was a dedicated and responsible man. He is one of those people who always did their best and expected others to do the same. He was a role model who inspired students and family alike.
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