Hall of Fame Penn volleyball coach Lisa Pawlik resigns along with her staff

Staff Report
·2 min read

MISHAWAKA — Lisa Pawlik, who built a powerhouse program over 22 seasons at Penn, resigned this week as the school's head volleyball coach. She informed the Tribune of her resignation via text Friday morning.

Three of Pawlik's assistant coaches also resigned, she said. When reached about the resignations Friday, Penn Athletic Director Jeff Hart declined comment. Pawlik said the resignations were submitted Tuesday.

Pawlik recently completed her fifth season of her second coaching stint at Penn. The Hall of Famer guided the Kingsmen to a Class 4A state title in 2010 before stepping down prior to the following season. Her daughter Lexie was the star setter on Penn's state title team and later became an assistant coach. Pawlik coached Penn previously from 1994-2010.

More:Penn-Harris-Madison officials vow 'thorough' investigation of volleyball coach incident

This past October, Pawlik finished the season on suspension as the Kingsmen lost to Warsaw in its 4A Sectional semifinal with assistant Jordan Benner leading the team.

The suspension was the result of an incident during a match on Oct. 4, 2022 in which video captures Pawlik grabbing a hat off a player.

The hat, which was part of a pregame dress up day for the team, had a chin strap holding it in place. The video shows the player's head jerking backward when coach Pawlik grabbed it to remove it. The player then sat down on the bench and finished removing the hat.

Penn coach Lisa Pawlik talks to her team during the match against Marian Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, at Marian High School.
Penn coach Lisa Pawlik talks to her team during the match against Marian Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, at Marian High School.

Penn administrators suspended Pawlik pending an investigation of the incident. Pawlik was fully reinstated as coach without disciplinary action on Dec. 19, 2022. Pawlik is also a physical education teacher at Penn and plans to remain there in that role.

Pawlik compiled an overall record at Penn of 871-257 and was inducted into the ISGCA Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2014.

The Tribune reached out to Penn Friday afternoon for an official release or comment on the resignations.

Lucha Ramey, Director of Communications for Penn Harris Madison Schools, said "No we will not.''.

''It appears as if she (Pawlik) covered everything she wanted released,'' Ramey wrote in an email.

This story will be updated as more information is gathered.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Penn volleyball coach Lisa Pawlik resigns following suspension