INDIANAPOLIS - On Saturday January 1, 2022, the Marian community lost an icon and pillar in their athletics history, as former Marian basketball and softball coach Mike Henderson passed away. Henderson was a long-time assistant coach for both the men's basketball and softball teams, and in 1989 was tasked in founding the Marian softball program, where he served Marian as the program's first head coach.
Mike moved to Marian College in 1980 as the Intramural Director and Assistant Men's Basketball Coach before retiring from Marian in 1999. In 1989, Henderson created women's softball program, which is now nationally recognized after winning numerous conference championships and advancing to the NAIA World Series. He continued to coach the program after retirement. He built the program through tireless recruiting, managing practice, game day coaching and field maintenance. To recognize his contributions to the university and its athletic programs, he was inducted into the M-Club Wall of Fame in 2007.
"Coach Henderson was a great coach, mentor, and friend, but he was an even better person and his family meant the world to him," said Marian softball head coach Scott Fleming. "He started the Marian softball program and we are forever grateful that he gave us the wonderful opportunity to play the game we love and cherish. We continue to meet at second base after every game which is a tradition he started when the program was created.
I visisted with coach in early December, and he had a Marian softball shirt hanging in his window. Until his final day, the program was still a piece of his life. Coach, thank you for everything!"
"Mike has played a major role on the landscape of the Marian athletics department, and looking where we are at today it would not have been possible without his contributions," said Director of Athletics Steve Downing. " From working as an assistant basketball coach that won the program's first Mid-Central College Championship, to helping lay the foundation for the softball program, the legacy of Coach Henderson is one that will be etched in the Marian history books until the end of time."
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Cardinal Ritter High School Athletic Department or the Marian University Softball Program in Coach Mike Henderson's name. Visitation will be from 10am to 11:30am Friday January 14, at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg, with funeral mass at 12 noon at St. Malachy Catholic Church.
Rest in peace, Coach Mike Henderson.
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