2015 Coach of the Year

Penny Grinage-Guy has recently completed her 34th year of coaching cheerleading; with her last 14 as the competitive cheer coach at Shelby High School.  She has a wealth of coaching experience, from middle school, high school and college (Western Michigan University) levels.  

Her service to the Michigan cheer community is long standing and she has been involved in both MCCA (Michigan Cheerleading Coaches Association) and CCCAM--serving as a Regional Rep for MCCA and currently as the Summit Co-Chair for CCCAM.  She has also served on several MHSAA Committees for Competitive Cheer.  

In 2011, Penny retired after 30 years in education—with her final 17 being a business teacher at Shelby High School. Retirement was not for her; so in 2014, she accepted an opportunity to return to the classroom teaching business courses at Western Michigan Christian High School.

Penny’s love of all things cheer began in the 6th grade and her passion continued  through middle school, high school (Lakewood High School) and then Western Michigan University.  Her passion for teaching, educating and cheer is what propelled her into the coaching arena.  

Penny’s favorite part, without question, is the opportunity she has to watch young women grow both emotionally and athletically. She even had the opportunity to coach one of her daughters in high school.

Although a very competitive person, Penny believes that although winning is a bonus, striving to produce citizens that know the value of integrity is far more important. She lives the phrase:  “Integrity begins with ME, the coach.  If I make 

choices that are unethical or lack integrity all in the name of winning, what example am I setting for them?  These young women are the leaders of tomorrow; we need to ALWAYS keep that in the forefront of our decision-making.”

Penny has been married to her husband, Steve, for 25 years (a retired educator); and they have been blessed with 2 daughters, a son-in-law and 2 very awesome grandsons.