University of Minnesota Athletics
Black History Month: Holly Thompson Pennix
2/14/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
In honor of Black History Month, Gopher Athletics is celebrating those who made us great. Throughout February, GopherSports.com will share short interviews with African-American alumni from almost every Gopher program. In these interviews, former student-athletes reflect on their time at the U of M, provide advice to current Gophers and share what Black History Month means to them personally.
Holly Thompson Pennix
Sport: Basketball
Years: 1988-92
Graduation Year: 1993
Hometown: East Cleveland, Ohio
Occupation: Science Teacher
What is it you miss most about the University?
I miss the camaraderie among my teammates and the exposure to so many people from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The University provided me with a great education and the interactions among individuals while in college provided life experiences that have shaped who I am today.
If you could give the current student-athletes any piece of advice, what would it be?
Student-athletes, you have been blessed with the opportunity to do what you love and receive a free education along the way. Seize the moments that will fly away quickly. Do today what others won't do and you will be able to do tomorrow what others can't do. You don't want to look back and say I could have. College is the foundation to your future. Make sure you are laying a foundation that won't crumble easily.
Please share your favorite university or athletic event you've attended since you graduated and what made it so special to you?
I enjoyed watching the women's basketball team play in the NCAA Final Four. Seeing my old teammate Dana Joubert made it special and just realizing we were a part of this university in the same capacity. I also enjoyed playing in the reunion basketball game years ago. Seeing all my old teammates and then seeing the women's basketball team play and win brought back so many memories.
What are you grateful for?
I'm grateful for the opportunity to play basketball with a great group of women and to have the educational opportunities that the University provided. I'm grateful for being able to travel around the country as we played basketball in several states throughout the years. I'm grateful to be associated with a University that values diversity and recognizes the contributions of all its members.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a special time that the country sets aside to reflect upon the many contributions of African Americans to the development and prosperity of the United States. This remembrance should not be just annually, but it should be recognized whenever it is applicable.
What occupies your time now?
God has blessed me with the opportunity to be a mom to my beautiful three children (Jemmia 15, Derrick Jr. 13, and James 11). I was a wife for 16 years to the love of my life, before he passed away a year ago. I have been teaching junior high science for the past 23 years and have been coaching on and off. I'm an active member of my local church and I love being a positive role model to young people at school, church, and at home.