Penny (Kroll) Cauzillo
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- Induction Year:
- 2019
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- Sport:
- Basketball
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- Year(s):
- 1986-88
Penny Kroll excelled in basketball and softball during her prep career at Anchor Bay High School.
The 1986 graduate was in no hurry to give up either sport at the collegiate level.
“Coming out of high school, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do education-wise, but I knew I still wanted to play basketball and softball,” Kroll said. “I felt that SC4 was a great opportunity for me to continue to play sports and explore my educational options.
“I lived in an apartment with two other Anchor Bay grads who also played basketball and softball. Our team was like a family. Everyone would come over to the apartment after class and study together before practice. We all got along so great and had so much fun together.”
Kroll went on to enjoy a successful career on the court and softball diamond — she was an All-Conference selection in both sports.
The talented guard earned NJCAA Second Team All-American honors during the 1987-88 season.
Kroll said the women’s game on both the high school and collegiate level underwent a major change. The smaller basketball was put into the game. She said her shooting and ball-handling improved right away her freshman year at the college.
“My first year was a rebuilding year at SC4 as they did not have a women’s program for a few years prior, so we struggled a bit but still had fun,” Kroll said. “I still laugh when thinking about playing in that old gym that had a stage with workout equipment on it.
“I never imagined that I would be so successful and receive all the honors that I did in both sports. It was a great time in my life and gave me the opportunity to play (NCAA) Division I basketball at the University of Detroit.”
