Carol Schramm
Pana Girls Athletics Coach and Pana High School Athletic Director
You cannot start a conversation about Pana Girls athletics without beginning with Carol Schramm. Carol graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and with a minor in Safety Education. She completed her master’s degree in Safety Education at Central Missouri State University.
Carol was the founder of Pana girls high school sports program in 1973. She coached girls volleyball (562-226 record) (.713 winning percentage). She also coached tennis, badminton, field hockey, basketball, and track & field. She was the Decatur Herald and Review girls track & field coach of the year in 1978, 1981, 1987, 1991, 1999. She was inducted into the Illinois Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995.
Carol’s team honors and championships include IHSA Field Hockey Final Four in 1975; 21 consecutive Pana High School Girls track & field conference championships from 1980 to 2000; 17 consecutive PHS IHSA Girls track & field Sectional Championships; 562 Volleyball Wins, IHSA Elite Eight in 1977 in girls volleyball, six Conference, twelve Regional and two Sectional Championships in Volleyball.
Carol’s School, Community & Professional Career Honors Include:
Pana Jaycees Distinguished Service Award in 1981
Pana Labor Day Parade Grand Marshall
United Way of Christian County Board
Lakeland College Board of Trustees
Dedication of Carol Schramm Track at Pana High School in 2010
Lifetime Achievement Award from Eastern Illinois University in 2015
Volunteer for Pana Community Hospital meals on wheels program
Volunteer track & field coach
Long time Sunday School Teacher
Church choir member
VBS teacher
Pana school teacher
Coach & Athletic director from 1965 to 2009
The Carol Schramm Athletic Scholarship was established in 2009.
Quote From Rhoda Dudra at Carol Schramm’s retirement reception sums it up best:
“She is the most professional person I know, tough-minded and highly respected not only by students she taught, and by her colleagues, but by everyone whose life she has touched,”
For those she coached, she always began practice with a Thought of the Day, cared deeply for each person whether a star or third string, and always gave credit to her team never seeking or wanting glory. When she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Eastern Illinois University, she only told her sister as she did not want to make it a big deal (which it was)."