Alma Mater– Wilmington College, 2000 (B.S.), American Intercontinental University, 2005 (M.A.)
Coach Dengler is preparing for her twleveth season as Penn State Harrisburg softball head coach. In the spring of 2014, she was the first coach to lead Penn State Harrisburg into Capital Athletic Conference Competition. Under her guidance last season Gabby Wolfe became the first softball player in school history to be named to the CAC first team.
A name that is very well-known in softball on the high school level in previous years, Coach Dengler brings valuable experienceto the softball program at Penn State Harrisburg.
In 1994 as a member of the Annville-Cleona softball team she was named to The Patriot News Big 11 First Team, having received second team and honorable mention honors in the previous three years. Coach Dengler earned four varsity letters in both softball and field hockey.
After graduating from high school, Dengler was a three-year starter at Northeast Louisiana University. Following an internship her senior year, she transferred to Wilmington College, where she graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Management.
Coach Dengler has been involved in coaching since 1998. From 1998-2001 she skippered Lebanon Catholic High School and led the school to its first PIAA AA State playoff berth. Dengler then moved to Middletown Area High School where she accepted the Assistant Varsity Softball and Field Hockey coaching positions.
Admitting that softball is a very big part of her life, Coach Dengler is very excited to coach at the collegiate level, "There is a lot of local talent in the mid-state from which to draw from and anytime there is an opportunity to give athletes to play on the collegiate level is a bonus for the sport of softball. My hope is that the Lady Lion softball team will inspire young girls to continue to play with the goal of someday playing on this level."
Coaching Philosophy
Fundamentals win championships.
The skills that are taught in tee ball and little league are the same skills that, when properly executed, will win a College World Series. The principles of the game do not change, only the level of competition.
A simple skill such as laying down a sacrifice bunt can make the difference in winning or losing a ball game.
In addition, I believe in always demonstrating the highest level of sportsmanship on the playing field. I teach my players to win with grace and lose with dignity. No competitive athlete likes to lose, but it is how that athlete handles the loss that shows her true character.
