Inductees

Robert Penn –  Football Coach –  Class of 2014

 The tapestry of Bob Penn’s life presents an interwoven pattern of faith, family, friends, and sports.  His journey to enshrinement in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame began after his parents, Robert and Inez, moved young Bob and his two sisters from Kansas City, MO to East St. Louis, IL.  The self-described “rough and tumble kid” was introduced to football there, and the seeds of a lifelong passion were sown.

      Led by coaches Fred Cameron, Bob Scates, and Paul Fuchs, Bob recalls that the powerhouse East St. Louis Flyers lost only two games during his entire high school career.   Following those athletic successes, Bob attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg on scholarship, where he played for Hal Yinger and Clarence Whiteman, and “caught the bug” for being a coach.  These mentors reinforced the message that became central to Bob’s own coaching philosophy: “The will to work more and harder than others is the champion’s edge, whether in sports or in life.”

      In 1967 Bob graduated from Central Missouri with a degree in Physical Education and loving wife, Karen, by his side. That fall he was hired by the Brentwood School District in St. Louis County.  Little did he realize that he would be dedicating the next 37 years of his life as a teacher, coach, and administrator in that same community.  In 2004, following his retirement, the district and community celebrated Bob’s devotion to the athletic program by naming the BHS football field in his honor.

      Reflecting upon his early years in Brentwood, Bob thanks God for blessing him with other mentors, such as principals Earl Renfroe and Ned Wicks, who gave Bob insight about developing meaningful relationships with the student athletes whose lives he hoped to influence.  John Titus, a future MCFA Hall of Famer, taught him to build player character, as well as championship teams, during the six years Bob served as assistant coach.

      In 1974 Bob became head coach of the Brentwood Eagles.  Over the next 27 years he amassed a record of 168-81-2, with an overall career record of 221-138-3.  Throughout his impressive career, numerous district and conference team championships were earned, along with countless individual awards for players who embraced and embodied the words on the team room wall: “It Takes More to Be a Champion”.  His players were inspired and motivated because of Bob’s dedication to teaching life skills such as focused hard work, sacrificial commitment, and selfless cooperation, in addition to football skills.

      Coach Penn highly regards every assistant who coached with him, and treasures their long-term friendships.  Jim Taylor, Charlie Kapfer, and Steve Crotz are particularly cherished for being part of the memorable 1987 football season when Bob realized the dream of leading his Brentwood Eagles to the State Football Championship Finals during son Rob’s stellar senior year as an All-State running back.

      That momentous season resulted in Coach Penn’s selection as the Sporting News 1987 Missouri Coach of the Year. Other honors that followed included enshrinement in the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2001, and the Paul Martel Award, which is given for dedication to the mission of the MFCA. That award honored Bob for his roles in developing summer 7-on-7 rules with MSHSAA, the introduction of summer football camps, and the establishment of the MFCA Hall of Fame.

      Bob’s leadership skills have been evidenced off the field, as well.  He made numerous contributions and developed many lasting relationships through service as president of multiple organizations:  The Metropolitan Coaches Association, The Missouri Football Association, The Brentwood Teachers Association, and Church Council of the Wentzville United Church of Christ. Through each of these experiences Bob enjoyed sharing commitments toward common goals, as he so successfully did through his coaching.

      While mainly recognized for his achievements in football, Bob was also the BHS varsity wrestling coach from 1967 to 1987.  He describes the early years of that role as “on the job training” because he had not been a wrestler himself.  His dedication to learning everything possible about the sport enabled him to coach many young men to both team and individual victories. Especially memorable were State Champions Rodney Carr and Greg Carr. A particularly unforgettable wrestling season saw Bob coaching his own son, Rob, to the State Finals in Columbia in 1987.

      In retirement, Bob says his blessings continue. He and Karen have been married nearly 60 years and their focus now is on activities with extended family and a wide circle of friends. With two children, Susan and Rob, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, there are sports and school activities to follow all year round!