Racquetball Contestants Honor Denny, Raise Money for Scholarship

Photo Submitted

Pawel Wolinski, gold bracket champion of the George Denny Memorial Racquetball Tournament, is congratulated by Denny's widow, Heather.

Pawel Wolinski, a University of Arkansas staff member, repeated as the gold bracket champion Dec. 13 during the second-annual George Denny Memorial Racquetball Tournament at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building on campus.

Twenty-seven participants battled for honors and prizes at the tournament that raised money for a scholarship fund established by Denny’s family in his honor. The first scholarship was awarded last fall.

Denny, 55, was a professor of educational statistics and research methods when he died June 13, 2013. He was an avid racquetball player and several of his colleagues, friends and family members played in the tournament matches.

Denny joined the faculty of the College of Education and Health Professions in 1991. He published numerous research papers over the years and won many awards for his work. He won the college’s STAR award in May 2013 for outstanding all-around faculty member.

The college is working on plans to take the account to the endowment level within the next few years. Contributions may be made by visiting the online giving website.

Winners in each category:

• Gold bracket champion, Pawel Wolinski; runner-up, Cal Godwin; semifinalists, Luke Howard and Randall Bowling
• Silver bracket champion, Jon Mills; runner-up: Eric Hall; semifinalists, Charles Denny and Dennis Brewer
• Bronze bracket champion, Jay Greene; runner-up, Albert Cheng; semifinalists, Brian Rickard and Tyler Mlakar
• Couch potato bracket winner, Taylor Adams

See more pictures of the winners on the Colleague news magazine website.

The College of Education and Health Professions offered special thanks to University Recreation for providing courts and supplies and to Qdoba for catering lunch. The following businesses provided merchandise or gift cards for the participants: Hilton Garden Inn, University of Arkansas Bookstore, Uncle Sam’s Safari Outfitters, Lewis & Clark Outfitters, Pack Rat Outdoor Center, Arsaga’s at the Depot, Pesto Café, Apple Blossom Brewing Company, Farrell’s Lounge Bar & Grill, JJ’s Grill, Wood Stone, Hugo’s, George’s Majestic Lounge, Walton Arts Center, Cold Stone Ice Cream, Ozark Lanes, Malco and U of A women’s basketball.