Dawn Henderson, the Head Coach of The College of New Jersey women’s basketball team for the past 23 years and associate director of athletics, announced that she will retire in June of 2017. The 2016-17 season will mark the final year of her storied career with the Lions.
During her tenure at TCNJ, Henderson has compiled an overall record of 425-191. She has directed the Lions to nine NCAA championship tournament appearances and four New Jersey Athletic Conference championships. Henderson has posted 22 winning records in 23 seasons and has been named NJAC Coach of the Year five times and Co-Coach of the Year on two additional occasions. In 2009, Henderson led TCNJ women’s basketball to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament Final Four. The Lions finished third nationally, its best finish in program history.
Henderson arrived at TCNJ after her coaching career began at Worcester State (MA) College and Drew University. She has an overall career mark of 471-241, which ranks 21st amongst active coaches in wins and 32nd all-time at the Division III level.
Words from Dawn Henderson:
“It’s so hard to look back on my career right now. It’s hard to focus on anything else, but the excitement of the upcoming season! The team has been working extremely hard and I truly believe that this is a special group that’s ready to make some noise in the NJAC!
I always tell my players that during their time in the program, we live a lot of life together. We’ve always tried to nurture that family atmosphere to be able to learn and grow while living those four years together. To try and put in perspective my 24 years here at TCNJ….Wow, a LOT of ‘life’ happened during that time with my teams, colleagues and friends. It may take another 24 years to actually describe what I’m feeling right now!
There will be time for reflection later in the year and for me to thank the many, many people throughout TCNJ and beyond that have mentored me, worked in the trenches with me and have become my lifelong friends. For the next few months however, my focus will be on this team and the 2016-17 season! I am really looking forward to competing and having fun together.
To quote a friend, ‘Our players come to TCNJ, join our programs for their four years and then graduate to the next stage of their lives…..now it’s my turn to graduate.’ I love that characterization, and while I am definitely a little sad about leaving the people and the program that I love….I am also excited to see where my ‘graduation’ from TCNJ will take me.”
Photo Courtesy TCNJ Athletics
Tagged with: DIII NJAC TCNJ
