Chestertown, MD- The Washington College Athletics Department is honored to rename its Senior Woman Administrator position to the Penny J. Fall SWA.  

The SWA, Senior Woman Administrator, is a position in college athletics departments that is held by the highest-ranking female at an NCAA member institution. Washington College's SWA position has been held by Alisha Mosley for the last two years. Mosley also serves as the Assistant Athletic Director, Director of Compliance, and Head Women's Basketball Coach. 
 

"Penny Fall was relentless in her pursuit of equality for female student-athletes at Washington College. As a new coach in the '90s, I was lucky enough to have her unending support-both for me and for my players," says Vice President for Student Affairs, Sarah Feyerherm. "She cared deeply that they had the experience they deserved and that they would not be treated less than their male counterparts. For Penny, and the women who envisioned and helped realize this fund, I am eternally grateful." 
 

Penny J. Fall was the key piece to establishing women's athletics at Washington College from 1969-2001. Under her direction, the women's sports offered grew from zero to nine. The first being women's rowing that was added in 1974, the NCAA only began sponsoring women's sports in 1981. Washington College now offers ten varsity athletics programs, soon 11 with the addition of flag football next school year, and two co-ed sports.  
 

"Unfortunately, I was only able to work with Coach Fall for a couple of years before her passing but in that short time it was very apparent the impact she had on Washington College and the Athletic Department," says Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics, Thad Moore. "Naming the Senior Woman Administrator in her honor is a wonderful compliment to her legacy." 
 

In 1984, Penny J. Fall was recognized by the Governor of Maryland for her work in achieving greater gender equity in Maryland's educational institutions during the first decade of the Title IX Educational Amendment, and she has yet to give up the fight. During her tenure she oversaw women's athletic training, equipment and game management, and scheduling and was responsible for women's athletic programs, conducting intramural programs, and coaching the volleyball, softball, and women's tennis teams. Her persistence pre- and post-Title IX ensured that today's women athletes can expect attention, and resources equal to those of the men's athletic programs and strengthened the College's commitment to equity for all. 
 

Fall was inducted into the Washington College Athletics Department Hall of Fame in 1997. The college dedicated the Penny J. Fall Gymnasium to Fall's honor in the spring of 2021, further recognizing the integral part that Fall played in establishing women's athletics here at Washington College. 
 

"I would also like to acknowledge all those who made this possible. Your drive and commitment to honor Coach and enhance women's sports at Washington College is inspiring," ends Moore.