Hall of Fame
Jennifer Murden Allen came to Chowan in the fall of 1993 after graduating from Norfolk Christian High School in Norfolk, Virginia. It was at Chowan that she chose to continue her education and softball career and when she graduated in 1997, she left with many honors and accolades to her name.
For four seasons, Allen dominated the shortstop position, letting very few balls slip by her. It wasn’t long before she garnered the affection of her teammates and classmates and in fact, then head coach, Jack Goldberg, nicknamed her “Hoover,” a name that stuck with her for four seasons at that position. She lived up to that nickname, leaving Chowan with a .985 career fielding percentage at one of the most difficult positions to play on the field. She is the only player in four-year history to play in every inning of every game in all four seasons and left Chowan with 1,010 career innings under her belt. She left her mark at the plate as well, hitting for a career average of .300. Over her four seasons with the then Braves, Allen helped the program to two 30-win seasons and a 125-30 four-year record.
Off the field, Allen left her mark in the classroom as a solid student on the Dean’s List and President’s List. She was also recognized in “Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities" in 1997. She was a member of the Chowan College Homecoming Court in both 1996 and in 1997. Allen also played on the women’s basketball team during her final year at Chowan.
After earning her degree in Physical Education in the fall of 1997, Jennifer Murden Allen married fellow Chowan Alum and athlete, Michael Allen. They moved to Tennessee for two years where Allen taught at the Christian Academy of Knoxville and her husband was employed with Maryville College. They then moved back to Allen’s hometown of Norfolk where they currently reside.
Jennifer Murden Allen and her husband have two daughters, Gracie and Ryleigh. Along with being a dedicated mother to her daughters, Allen serves as the Head Softball Coach at her alma mater, Norfolk Christian. She is active on the Norfolk Christian Alumni Council and is very thankful for the opportunities in her life. Allen and her husband are members of the Temple Baptist Church in Norfolk, but are also regular attendees at Tabernacle Church, also in Norfolk.
