GLASSBORO, NJ - After more than 30 years of dedicated service to Rowan Athletics, first as a national championship-winning coach, and then as an administrator, associate athletic director Penny Kempf has announced her retirement from the University.

Kempf has been a trusted leader and mentor for countless student-athletes, coaches and colleagues and an instrumental figure in the growth and success of Rowan athletics, and especially the women's athletics program.

After retiring from coaching, Kempf served as Rowan's associate athletic director and senior women's administrator and has been a steady presence in the department providing leadership, institutional knowledge and a commitment to Prof athletics.

As associate athletic director, Kempf had a myriad of duties and served as the sport supervisor for multiple programs. She spearheaded the hosting of many NCAA Championship games on campus by Rowan's teams, highlighted by the 2022 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship. She served as the tournament director for the national semifinals and final played at Coach Richard Wackar Stadium, of which Rowan was a participant. 

Kempf's coached the Rowan field hockey team for 17 years from 1998 to 2014, compiling a 253-81 overall record, for the most wins in school history. She led the Profs to the 2002 NCAA Division III Championship, which remains the lone national team title captured by a women's program at Rowan. Her 75.7 winning percentage ranks 11th all-time among Division III coaches while she is ranked among the top 40 for victories.

During her tenure, the Profs made 12 trips to the NCAA Tournament, reaching the national semifinals three times, including the appearance in the 2002 championship game. Kemp led the Profs to six NJAC championships, including the program's first in 1998.

She was named the NFHCA National Coach of the Year in 2002 while also earning the Coach of the Year awards in both the South Atlantic Region and the NJAC. Additionally, Kempf earned the conference's Coach of the Year award in 1998 and 2009. 

Kempf has been honored multiple times for her dedication and achievements in the sport. She was a member of the Class of 2020 of the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Hall of Fame and then in 2022, was named to the inaugural class of NFHCA Honorary Members, which is a group of former coaches, administrators and supporters who paved the way for the sport and the NFHCA.

She was inducted individually into the Rowan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018 and to the Athletics Hall of Fame at TCNJ (2022), her alma mater where she was an All-American and national champion in field hockey and lacrosse. Additionally, two Kempf-coached field hockey teams were honored with induction into Rowan's Hall of Fame – the 2002 Team (2012) and the 1998 Team (2025).

Rowan Athletics thanks Penny for her years of dedicated service and wishes her the best in a well-deserved retirement.