Mike Henderson (2012)

1961 Football, Basketball, Track and Field Mike Henderson graduated from Ridgewood High School in the spring of 1961 honored not only as the outstanding Athlete of his class with the 1961 "Excellence in Athletics Award" but also as one of the pre-eminent "Three Sport Athletes" in Ridgewood High School history. His accomplishments which were news worthy and outstanding in their own right in 1961and beyond are even more significant and extraordinary when compared to today's era of one sport "specialists." Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his athletic achievements is the fact that he was so successful in all three of his chosen sports; football, basketball, and track and field. Many athletes have a dominant or primary sport followed by other sports that they may have also played but Mike Henderson excelled in all three of his chosen sports. He was also the epitome of a true "student athlete" who achieved in the class room as well as on the fields, courts and cinders for the Maroons. Upon graduation from Ridgewood High School Henderson went on to the Ivy League at Brown University and from there to New York Medical College for a degree in medicine and then on to a long career as a Radiologist before retiring recently. A two time varsity letter winner on the gridiron for the Maroons, Henderson was a First Team All-Suburban and Second Team All-State tight end for the 1960 State Champion squad. In basketball he earned two more varsity letters averaging 12 points a game for the NNJIL Champion RHS hoopers his senior year, shooting 81% from the free throw line and was chosen for the All-Bergen County team. When the spring rolled around and the weather got warm Henderson really showed what he could do as a competitor. A three time varsity letter winner and two time Captain of the Ridgewood High School Track and Field team, Henderson won NNJIL Championships in the 440 yd. dash his Junior year and NNJIL Championships in the 100 and 220 yd. dashes his Senior year including running a blistering 9.8 seconds in the 100 yd. dash at Glen Rock High School. He finished 5th in the New Jersey State Championships in the 100 yd. dash and second in the State in the 220 yd. dash. He also finished 5th in the 220 yd. dash in the Mid-Atlantic Championships. Cementing his legacy as one of the best all-around athletes in Ridgewood High School history Henderson won the first ever Bergen County Decathlon Championship in the spring of 1961. He went on to compete in track at Brown University where he captained the undefeated 1964-1965 indoor and outdoor track and field teams while setting the Brown school record in the 440 yd. dash (48.1) Henderson finished 2nd in the New England Championships and 3rd in the prestigious Heptagonal Championships in the 440 yd. dash. Mike Henderson enters the Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame having competed in an era where competition was fierce and deep. His records, accomplishments and his legacy have stood the test of time. A truly special three sport student athlete, Henderson rightfully takes his place in the Hall of Fame as another contributor to Ridgewood High School's Tradition of Excellence.

CLASS YEAR

1961

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