Billy Henderson/Notes

Background

Henderson graduated from Lanier High School in Macon, Georgia, and is an alumnus of the University of Georgia. At UGA, Henderson was on the football and baseball teams.
Henderson played two years of professional baseball as a minor leaguer in the Chicago Cubs' organization.

Coaching career

After graduating from Georgia, Henderson coached at Jefferson (1951-53), Athens (1953-55), Furman University (1956), University of South Carolina (1956-57), Willingham (1958-70), and Mount de Sales (1970-73) in Macon before returning to Athens to coach Clarke Central in 1973.
Aside from football, Henderson lead teams to three state baseball championships and one swimming championship.
He was recognized in 1972 as the National Baseball Coach of the Year after winning the state title at Mount de Sales.^[1]

Awards

In 1993, Henderson was honored in March of 1993 by more than 800 people who came together at Clarke Central in "A Tribute to Billy" and in celebration of Billy Henderson Day in Athens. Gov. Zell Miller, Sen. Paul Broun, and Rep. Louise McBee were among those who sent congratulatory letters and resolutions honoring him.
In 1995 Henderson was awarded the Bill Hartman Award, which is the highest honor a former UGA student-athlete can attain.
Clarke Central High School Stadium was renamed Billy Henderson Stadium in his honor.
National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

Personal life

In 1964, Henderson's son Brad was killed in an auto accident at the age of 16.
Henderson suffered a brain tumor in 1995 which left him deaf in his left ear with occasional bouts of vertigo. He retired before the start of the 1996 season.