California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Whether she is on the court, sidelines or even behind the microphone, Annie Malkowiak and the demanding sport of basketball have been a perfect fit.

One of three women’s basketball players inducted into this year’s class, Malkowiak enjoyed an extraordinary scholastic career at Ellwood City High School and continued her success as a Lady Vulcan.

At Ellwood City, Malkowiak finished with 2,368 career points which was the most in WPIAL history at the time and is still the career standard for Lawrence County schools. She averaged a whopping 32.2 points as a senior and scored a school-record 59 points in one game as Ellwood City went 19-5. The first female or male from Beaver county to score over 2,000 points, Malkowiak was an All-State selection and selected as the Most Valuable Player of the first-ever Pennsylvania Roundball Classic.

She was a three-year starter for head coach Paul Flores and helped Cal compile impressive season records of 18-9, 20-8, 18-8, and 18-8 from 1990 through 1993 with two conference playoff appearances.

A physical, determined and sharp-shooting guard, Malkowiak became the eighth of 13 Cal U women to surpass the prestigious 1,000-point plateau. She finished with 1,009 career points and was the team’s Most Valuable Player and leading scorer in 1991.The following year, Malkowiak led the PSAC in freethrow percentage and was tenth nationally with an 84.9% accuracy (73/86). This mark is still fifth best in conference history. Her 30 three-point baskets was second on the team in 1993 and her career three-point percentage of 37.8% remains a school record. Malkowiak was also a co-captain as a senior. She looks back on her playing and school days quite favorably.

“My fondest memories of my late teenage years is the time I spent here,” said Malkowiak. “I had a great time as a student here and in the little town of California. Looking back, my experiences with the team, our coaches, traveling to different places and meeting people from all over is something I’ll always remember. My best friends today are people from California University.”

Also a fine student, Malkowiak earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education in December of 1993 and a master’s degree in special education in the spring of 1996. While completing her graduate work, Malkowiak served as the top assistant coach with the California Area High School’s girl’s team and was the Lady Trojans’ head coach during the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons.

Malkowiak took a year off from coaching in 1998-99 but became the public address announcer for both the Vulcan women’s and men’s teams. She also handled this role this past season while also serving as head coach of the Uniontown Area High School women’s basketball team.

Though she is an experienced coach, Malkowiak misses her playing days.

“I still wish I was playing college basketball,” Malkowiak said. “But now I am more mature and I think having been a player helps me in coaching because I know what kind of commitment it takes to succeed as a player. Coaching is great but it is not like being a player which is so exciting.”

The daughter of Bill and Pat Malkowiak, Annie is the university’s CalCard administrator. On April 30, Malkowiak will be inducted into the Lawrence County Historical Society Sports Hall of Fame in Neshannock Township.

“I was very surprised and really was not expecting this,” said Malkowiak about being inducted in the Cal U Hall of Fame. “It is very gratifying that the committee felt my individual accolades were worthy of an induction.”

Malkowiak is single and resides in Uniontown.