Carson-Newman's Penland Named 2025 SAC Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Carson-Newman's Campbell Penland was voted as the 2025 South Atlantic Conference Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the conference announced today.

The South Atlantic Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the Conference's championship sports and is voted on by the SAC's Faculty Athletic Representatives Committee. The winners are selected based on their achievements in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

Penland, a senior from Sevierville, Tenn., was just named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District for the third time in her career. She owns a 4.0 cumulative grade point average while majoring in Biology/Pre-Health Professions. She has been a four-time member of the Dean's List and also earned the Carson-Newman Platinum Eagle Scholar each of her four years. Most recently, Penland earned the SAC Elite 23 Award Winner in March which is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA in the conference that competes at the championship site.

On the court, Penland was named to the SAC All-Freshman team and also earned a spot on the SAC All-Tournament team during her junior season. That year, she was named to the All-Southeast Region Tournament team as well. This season, she led the conference in 3-pointers made and is third all-time in Carson-Newman history with 232 career 3-pointers made. She scored in double figures 18 times during the season and had 12 games with three or more 3-pointers made. She averaged double-digit scoring each of the past three years and has averaged 4.0 rebound per game or better each year of her career.  

Off the court, Penland is committed to service. She has been a student leader with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for each of her four years and is the current president. She has helped to disciple and spread the Word of God to athletes on campus. For the past two years, she has volunteered at Operation In-as-Much where she served meals for the less fortunate in the community. She has also served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for the women's basketball program.  

2025 Women's Basketball Scholar-Athlete Finalists

Campbell Penland, Carson-Newman

Jenna Kallenberg, Tusculum

Kristynn Knight, Coker

Laney Beale, Wingate

Madison Gillie, Mars Hill