By Malcolm Butler
Although Dr. Jim Henderson has a diploma from Northwestern State, he was raised on Louisiana Tech as a child.
Dr. Henderson, who was named the 15th president in Tech history last week by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System, comes by his Bulldog and Lady Techster fandom honestly. His father, Clem, played football for the Bulldogs under legendary head coach Joe Aillet in the 1940s.
“My relationships with this institution started in 1941,” Henderson told those in attendance at Howard Auditorium during a town hall forum October 19. “Dad played for (Coach Aillet) for two years before he and 21 of his teammates went to Joe and said ‘Coach, we’ve got work to do. We’ve got to go overseas.’
“When dad and his 21 teammates returned from the war in 1946, Coach had their scholarships and welcomed them back with open arms.”
A great example of EverLoyalBe back in the 1940s, more than 70 years before hashtags were a thing.
So due to his father’s background, Jim Henderson was raised on the red and blue and heard Louisiana Tech stories from Clem during his childhood. His passion for athletics also grew as Clem coached on the high school level in the Shreveport area, sending “every athlete he could to” Louisiana Tech.
So with an upbringing that includes both Tech and athletics, what is Dr. Henderson’s perspective on how college athletics fits within the scope of the overall mission of the University?
“I’m a big fan of athletics,” said Dr. Henderson. “I think a lot of people view athletics as their connection to the institution. It helps students become more connected to the institution. The community is more connected to the institution. Alumni are more connected to the institution.
“Athletics are essential. I think people sometimes look at it as a financial drain. But athletics has to be successful because it’s a great way to generate earned revenue for an institution.”
Dr. Henderson used the example of Florida Atlantic’s men’s basketball program this past March, and the Owls run to the Final Four.
“They generated $800 million in earned media for that institution,” said Dr. Henderson. “As a result their enrollment has increased, their grant funding has increased, their prominence within the state of Florida has increased.”
However, Dr. Henderson was quick to point out how athletics must fit into the financials for Louisiana Tech.
“The priorities of this institution are scholarship and research,” said Dr. Henderson. “Athletics has got to be a supplement of that. It takes a lot of work and fundraising. Putting a (good) product on the field encourages people to attend and support. People don’t give to need; they give to excellence.”
Two current Louisiana Tech head coaches have first-hand experience and knowledge of Dr. Henderson’s connection and relationship with athletic. Both Lane Burroughs (baseball) and Brooke Stoehr (women’s basketball) served in their same roles at Northwestern State during Henderson’s time as president in Natchitoches from 2015 to 2017.
Burroughs and Stoehr said Dr. Henderson’s ability to unite people is one of his many strengths.
“His vision, energy and passion for the job are the first things that jump out,” said Burroughs. “He is a unifier and a positive life force. It’s obvious that the retention of students and the overall student experience are something he places high value on.”
“He has an energy and presence about him that people naturally gravitate towards,” said Stoehr. “He is one of the most dynamic leaders I’ve been around and has a unique ability to unite people of differing opinions and perspectives to work together for the greater good of the organization.”
They can also both speak to his love for college athletics and the student athletes.
“Dr. Henderson knew our students and supported them tremendously on and off the court,” said Stoehr. “He and (his wife) Mrs. Tonia cheered for our team and were always behind our group in everything we tried to accomplish.”
Burroughs remembers Dr. Henderson driving eight hours to deliver diplomas to the graduating baseball players while they were on a road trip representing Northwestern State University.
“It was amazing,” said Burroughs. “Our boys and their families were able to have their own little graduation ceremony, because of his willingness to drive eight hours and deliver a great message and their diplomas.”
Greg Burke, who served as the Director of Athletics at Northwestern State during Dr. Henderson’s time as president, had a front row seat to Dr. Henderson’s involvement within the athletics side of the campus experience.
“(Athletics) was ingrained in him at a young age,” said Burke. “As he progressed in life and got into University administration he very clearly understands the value of an athletic program to its campus community. Not at the expense of the overall campus, but he understands that athletics is the front porch … has been, is and always will be.
“He won’t just attend an athletic event so he can check it off a list. He goes because he wants to go. He will be a fan. The officials and referees better understand that if they aren’t holding up their end of the deal being fair to Louisiana Tech teams, he will offer his executive opinion on that.”
All three can also speak to Dr. Henderson’s impact across the entire spectrum of the college campus.
“Student engagement was very important to Dr. Henderson,” said Burke. “There is a lot of dialogue about this generation and about college students. Dr. Henderson did a great job of engaging them. He was visible at everything, whether a play a concert and athletic event.”
“He is very intelligent, but very humble,” said Burroughs, who recalled Henderson meeting with every single Northwestern State employee within the first semester on the job. “I think our alumni, donors, students, faculty, staff and stakeholders will see what a great person and leader he is and feel the impact of his leadership immediately.”
“He will engage with the students, faculty and stakeholders in ways that will help take Louisiana Tech to the next level,” said Stoehr.
