Women's Track and Field | October 30, 2023

PHILADELPHIA – Penn Athletics is saddened to announce the passing of long-time track & field coach Tony Tenisci, who spent more than 30 years coaching at Penn including serving as the Betty J. Costanza Head Coach of Women's Track and Field from 2012-16.

"It has been such an honor to have the opportunity to coach with Tony Tenisci, and his friendship has meant the world to me over the years," Steve Dolan, the James P. Tuppeny/Betty J. Costanza Director of Track & Field/Cross Country said. "I have never met anyone that loved life, people and Penn more than Tony.  The energy and enthusiasm which he brought to every interaction has been an inspiration to me and so many others.  If the value of one's life is quantified by how many people you have helped and influenced in a positive way, then Tony is resting in peace among the most accomplished of all-time."

"Tony was a force, in every sense of the word," Alanna Shanahan, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W'69 Director of Athletics and Recreation said. "He had an infectious magnetism. He did everything with passion, joy, persistence, enthusiasm, and authenticity. He was the ultimate relationship builder, coach and educator. The mark he leaves on the sport of track and field is world-renowned yet his impact on the people he knew and loved is ten-fold."

Tenisci is known for being the creator of women's hammer throwing in America. Through his efforts, this event was created and developed into one of the finest throwing events for women in track and field.

He coached numerous standout athletes in the throwing events and horizontal jumps. That included 2015 national champion Sam Mattis (discus) and 2003 national champion Brian Chaput (javelin). Many more of his student-athletes went on to compete at the USA Championships, Senior American National Championships and the Olympic Trials. Tenisci was also the Director of Throwing Events at the Penn Relays.

Widely regarded as an outstanding technical coach in the throws and jumps, Tenisci held extensive clinics throughout the country. He was also known as a specialist in the areas of weight training and conditioning, having designed various strength and training programs for other teams at Penn, as well as for professional athletic organizations. Tenisci was the inventor and international patent holder on an exercise machine for muscle growth and dynamics. He published numerous articles in both scientific and recreational publications in the United States and overseas. 

Tenisci also was instrumental in organizing Penn Track & Field's international trips and formed close relationships with colleagues and competitors from Oxford, Cambridge and Birmingham.

He also organized Mr. and Ms. Penn, a campus body-building competition that was held for nearly three decades. He provided a diet and training plan for the competitors, coached them with poses and helped choreograph individual routines. 

A 1974 graduate of Washington State, Tenisci was a four-time NCAA All-American in the hammer throw for the Cougars. He is a former Canadian national record holder in the hammer throw (221-3) and participated in the British Commonwealth and Pan American Games. He also trained and studied in Germany, Russia and Australia.

Tenisci earned his master's degree in physical education from Washington State after doing postgraduate work in physiology and biomechanics of exercise in athletics at the University of Moscow in Russia. He also studied at the University of Gutenburg in Germany and the University of Hawaii.

He will be laid to rest in his hometown of Trail, British Columbia, Canada and plans are being made to celebrate his life during the 2024 Penn Relays.