Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletics

Kirk Penner (Aurora, Neb.) was a four-year letterwinner in basketball for the Plainsmen from 1987-91. He finished his career with 1,423 points that was eighth all-time upon his graduation.

Penner guided NWU to a NIAC Conference title as a junior and a tie for the conference championship during his senior season. As a junior, Penner was a First-Team All-NIAC forward leading the team in scoring at 19.8 points per game. His 575 points that year is still the ninth highest single season total at NWU. He set a then single-game record with eight 3-pointers against Midland Lutheran. Penner was also a First-Team Nebraska All-State College selection.

During his final year, the 6’6 forward averaged 16.3 points per game. He was named to the All-NIAC team and was All-Tournament at both the Snyder Classic and the Poet All-Classic Team in California. He scored a season-high 30 points in a win over Midland.

Besides still ranking 10th on the NWU all-time career scoring list, Penner is also fifth all-time at NWU with 134 career 3-pointers.