Pauline "Denny" Hill

Inducted - 2017

Pauline “Denny” Hill, a pioneer in girl’s athletics as a coach, teacher and advisor in the Owosso Public School system for 28 years, remembered fondly and simply as, “Ma Hill,” by her former players. Hill played professional baseball in 1947 for the pennant-winning Muskegon Lassies of the All-American Girls’ Baseball League, which was featured in the movie “A League of Their Own.” She was also a letter winner at Western Michigan University in tennis and field hockey. Hill moved to Owosso in 1949 to teach physical education and oversee the Trojans Girls’ Athletic Association (GAA) program prior to marrying Jean W. Hill in 1950. She taught at Owosso High for three years, was at Corunna for four years, and at St. Paul Catholic School for three years before returning to OHS. She retired from Owosso Public Schools in 1986. Hill made her biggest mark by encouraging girls to play sports in Owosso long before Title IX took effect in 1972. She coached basketball, softball and cheerleading. Title IX is a federal law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, including athletics. The name “Denny,” came from her roommates at Western Michigan University, and was short for Hill’s maiden name, Dennert. The nickname stuck with her ever since. In 1995, Owosso High School proudly dedicated the softball field that still bears the name, Pauline, “Denny” Hill Field.