Awards
GCWHSS annually recognizes members who have distinguished themselves in the field of athletic administration and within the sport profession. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Awards through November 23, 2023
Annual Awards
Leslie Moore Legacy Award
Leslie Moore, CAA, a trailblazer and advocate for equitable opportunities, was known for her fighting spirit. She was a 35 – year veteran of Denver Public Schools (DPS) as a teacher, coach, and administrator and was the first female president elected unanimously in 1996 of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) Board of Directors in over 75 years. Moore, a Denver native attended Denver Public Schools and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. Moore returned to Denver after graduating from Western State in 1970 to teach physical education. She coached and won numerous awards in gymnastics, girls track and field, and basketball. Her move to administration in 1990 led to her final post with DPS, as Director of Athletics and Student Activities, which she held until retirement. From promoting equal rights in girls’ sports, to assigning women officials to men’s basketball tournaments and led the state in introducing three-person officiating crews for basketball. Moore was a strong supporter for equal rights and a Title IX officer throughout her career. Many organizations honored Leslie for her commitment to equality on a local, statewide, and national level. She was inducted into the DPS Hall of Fame and CHSAA Hall of Fame in 2010. Moore served on the Board of Directors of the National Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association (NIAAA) and was inducted into the NIAAA Hall of Fame in 2016. Her post retirement years were spent playing golf, mentoring fellow athletic administrators, and being surrounded by family, friends and colleagues who enjoyed parties and celebrations. Leslie Moore passed away on May 15, 2022.
Peg Pennepacker Paving the Way Award
Peg Pennepacker is recognized nationally as one of the foremost experts on Title IX issues. Peg is a National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Leadership Training Course National Faculty Member. She has given numerous clinics and sessions in the professional development program as the Title IX national chairperson and has taught courses around the country about Title IX and sports law. Peg retired as a full time athletic director in 2017, after serving public education for more than 36 years. With degrees from Lock Haven and West Chester, Pennepacker was previously assistant principal and athletic director at Susquehanna Township High School, athletic director at Twin Valley School District, assistant principal and athletic director at Blue Mountain High School and athletic director at Perkiomen Valley School District. Peg has earned the designation of Pennsylvania Registered Athletic Director from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association (PSADA) and Certified Athletic Administrator for the NIAAA. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from Lock Haven University, a Masters degree in Sport and Athletic Administration from West Chester University and both elementary and secondary principal’s certification from the University of Scranton. Pennepacker serves the PSADA Executive Council as the Title IX consultant, and is on PSADA’s Professional Development Committee. Peg is also currently on the advisory board for ATIXA (Association of Title IX Administrators). In March of 2007, Peg was an invited presenter at the “Girls and Women Rock: Celebrating 35 Years of Sport and Title IX Academic and Legal Conference” in Cleveland which featured keynote speakers Billie Jean King, Birch Bayh, Bernice Sandler and Marcia Greenberger. In December 2007, Peg was awarded the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award at the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator’s Association conference in Nashville, Tennessee. Peg has spent the past two decades working with the state athletic director’s association, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator’s Association educating athletic directors and school district personnel about Title IX law at the K-12 level. She continues to advocate for high school reporting for all school districts and stronger enforcement of the law at the K-12 level. Peg Pennepacker will be inducted into the NIAAA Hall of Fame in December 2022.
Awards Committee
Members of the GCWHSS Award Committee:
Committee Chair: Annette Scogin
Committee Members: Anne Campbell, Serena Henry, Lori Lotts, Katasha Turner, Deborah Mize, Meghan Flavin, Jean LaClair
Send nominations to:
gcwhssaward@gmail.com
2022-2023 Award Winners!
