Eric Henderson played men's basketball at Wayne State from 1996-2000.  A native of Coggan, Iowa and a graduate of Maquoketa Valley High School, Eric played on four 20-win teams and helped the Wildcats reach two NCAA Division II national tournaments, including the 2000 North Central Region Championship Game, and the 2000 NSIC Tournament title being coached by Greg McDermott.  Henderson ranks fourth in career rebounds (876), second in career blocked shots (100) and third in career steals (160) and is currently the head men's basketball coach at South Dakota State University.

Editors note - South Dakota State faces Creighton (coached by Greg McDermott) on Wednesday, November 25th at 6 p.m. in the first round of the Bad Boys Mowers Crossover Classic at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  The game will be televised by ESPN2.  

Interview and graphics done by Deb Harm Korth

As a high school senior, why Wayne State College?  Why the Wildcats?
Growing up in a small Iowa town, Wayne felt comfortable and familiar to me on my campus recruiting visits.  Wayne was far enough from home, yet close enough to stay connected to family.  Head Coach Greg McDermott grew up 30 miles from my hometown and that fact gave me a sense of his upbringing and his character.  The icing on the cake was meeting a teammate, Brad Joens, on my spring campus recruiting visit.  As the visit was wrapping up, I asked Brad, "What are you going to do"?  And his reply, "I'm going to Wayne", sealed the deal for me. 
 
Who were the coaches involved in your recruiting process?  Do you remember a key moment when you knew that you wanted to play for the Paw?
Head Coach Greg McDermott and Assistant Coach Mike Finger.  Clicking with Brad Joens really put me over the hump.  I knew there was no other place to go.
 
In your opinion, what personal characteristic of yours stood out the strongest as a Wildcat?  What characteristic would your coaches say was your strongest? 
My personal characteristics would be selflessness, always put team first, win as a team instead of individual victories.  I also have a strong work ethic and positive attitude.  Intangibles.
My coaches would say I put our team first, my ability to bring teammates together and hold them accountable.  I hope they would say he works his tail off and as a player I could be used as an example – I was thick skinned.
 
What bonded your team together?
The team possessed similar personal characteristics.  We had no expectations other than to win.  When initial success snowballed into better outcomes, we all worked harder.  This success made the team bond tighter.  Good chemistry bonded us as a team and we always knew we had each other's backs. Our band of brothers was very social and engaged in campus life and the Wayne community. 
 
Who was your go-to teammate during your years as a Wildcat?  Why?
Brad Joens.  We shared common interests and even though we were not roommates the first year, many nights were spent in each other's room.  Genuine is how I would describe Brad and he used that characteristic to give me confidence and a belief in myself.
 
What game stands out for you as a Wildcat?
The ones we lost.  Yes, there were unbelievable wins, but the losses hurt the most.  If I had to choose one game, the Regional Kearney game played in Wayne.
 
Did you feel a part of the community of Wayne?  Does a community member stand out in your memory?
The home I spent my childhood in was sold when I left for college, so I couldn't "go home".  Wayne became my home.  Every summer I found a job in Wayne and met and became friends with many community members.  College years are vulnerable times and I was able to experience a special bond with the community.  I value the many relationships I have within the community of Wayne.
 
If you can recall, what was your most challenging moment to overcome as a Wildcat?
The Regional Kearney game.  Overcoming the mental hurdle of feeling responsible for the outcome of the game, spurred me to work harder during the following summer to improve my skills for my senior year as a Wildcat.  In addition, a key player graduated from the team after my junior year.  The reward from that hard work came for me as the team advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament where we reached the Regional final before falling to the eventual national champions.


 
Meeting your lovely wife happened in Wayne.  Chance or destiny?
A campus professor invited my wife (a student in his class at the time) and myself with a couple of other students to his house.  The initial "meeting" did not take place, but a subsequent meeting happened and the rest is history.  Destiny for sure.
 
If you could pick one memory of Wayne or Wayne State College, what would it be?
My whole experience as a Wildcat was special.  The tight bond with my teammates and the Wayne community were invaluable to me.  Coach McDermott was a great mentor.  If I have to pick a favorite, I would pick the Regional tournament my senior year.
 
Fast forward to 2020.  What is your greatest life blessing?
While the many careers opportunities I have received have been blessings, my greatest job and blessing is to be a father.  Being parents, along with Alicia, to four children is my breath and my life.  Mistakes are made daily, but lessons are learned and fantastic memories are made.
 
What is the driving force in your life? 
My responsibility as a husband and a father.  In addition, my calling to be a good person by being good to others.  By example, to be the hardest worker of anyone and let the outcome be determined by that hard work.
 
Upon your retirement, what do you want your star player to say about you?  What do you want your building's custodian to say about you?
My star player will say I was fair and loyal.  He will say nobody worked harder.  And he will say, "Coach loved me".
The custodian in my building will say, "He's the head coach and he's doing that?!"  (Meaning I'm not above any job.)
 
Strongest personal quality?
Being genuine.  My daily goal is to make the people around me feel good.
 
How does your oldest child describe you?
My eleven year old would say, "My Dad is a fun dad and he expects a lot out of us."