A couple whose faces are perhaps the most well-known in the Youngstown State University community will be recognized by the Youngstown State Penguin Club later this month.

Ellen and Jim Tressel will be celebrated as the Penguins of the Year at Mr. Anthony's Banquet Center in Boardman on Thursday, Feb. 29.

The Tressel's contributions to the Mahoning Valley have gone beyond the campus.

Jim Tressel recently retired after serving nine years as the Youngstown State University president, becoming the ninth president of Youngstown State University in 2014.

During Tressel's tenure as president, enrollment increased, the academic quality of freshmen classes moved upward, student retention went up and the university focused on student success - graduating on time, with little or no debt, and with a job.

In addition, the university hit record fund-raising levels, kept the lid on tuition costs, expanded scholarship opportunities, and increased both university and private housing options across campus.

Tressel spent 15 years as the head coach at Youngstown State and six as the Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics before being named the head football coach at Ohio State University in January 2001.

At YSU, Tressel posted a record of 135-57-2 and led the program to Division I-AA National Championships in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1997. He logged a winning percentage of .702 and reached the playoffs in 10 seasons. He won an impressive 24 playoff games and had seven 10-win seasons.

Ellen Tressel has served on several boards and service organizations ranging from the James Cancer Hospital Foundation board, Akron Children's Hospital Foundation board, the Home Savings and Loan Board, and COSI in Columbus, Ohio.

Mrs. Tressel is still involved in the local community, co-chairing, with Jim Tressel, the campaign for the Zoldan Family Student Center, and remains a member of the Beatitude House board and the Mahoning Valley Historical Society board.

Recognition of the Tressels will take place during the annual Scholarship Ring Banquet which will include honoring YSU's recent conference champions - Men's Basketball, Men's Indoor Track & Field, Women's Indoor Track & Field, Men's Outdoor Track & Field, Women's Outdoor Track & Field, Women's Tennis and Men's Cross Country. Additionally, YSU earned the Horizon League's McCafferty Trophy for its excellence in the conference's 19 championship sports.

Proceeds from the event, which allows supporters to meet student-athletes, will be used to fund YSU's athletic scholarship program and provide championship rings for our student-athletes and coaches.

Full tables include seven dinner tickets, an autograph ball, and a student-athlete sponsorship. Half tables include four dinner tickets, an autograph ball, and a student-athlete sponsorship.

Full tables ($1,000), half tables ($625), individual tickets ($125) and program advertisements are currently available for the evening.

The deadline to purchase tickets and ads is Feb. 12.