IU Athletics Mourns the Passing of Former Track & Field Assistant Coach Phil Henson
1/6/2020 2:45:00 PM | Cross Country, Track and Field
Bloomington, Ind. – Former IU Track and Field Assistant Coach Phil Henson died on Saturday in Bloomington. He was 74 years old. Henson was a long-time assistant coach for the Hoosier program, working alongside legendary head coach Sam Bell from 1980-94. Henson played an integral role on Bell's staff during one of the Hoosier track and field program's most successful periods. He worked closely with numerous Hoosier NCAA champions, All-Americans and Olympians, including DeDee Nathan, Dave Volz and Alan Turner.
In addition to his work with IU Track and Field, he also served the sport in a variety of capacities both nationally and internationally. The highlight of his involvement on the international scene came in 1996, when he served as Director of Competition for Track and Field at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
In addition to those roles, Henson was also a valued member of the Indiana University faculty. Henson, who earned both his Master's and Ph.D. from Indiana University, joined the IU Department of Kinesiology faculty in 1980, serving in a part-time capacity until his retirement from coaching. Upon the completion of his 1996 Olympic responsibilities, he became a full-time assistant professor until his retirement in 2013.
"Phil wore many hats at IU, all the way from full-time coach to professor, and most recently as a volunteer coach working with Coach Jake Wiseman and his multi-athletes," said IU Track and Field Coach Ron Helmer. "Phil's knowledge of track and field was boundless, making him a highly sought after meet referee and official, including his work at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Beyond that, Phil was just a good man who truly loved what he did. The track and field community lost a good one."
In addition to his work with IU Track and Field, he also served the sport in a variety of capacities both nationally and internationally. The highlight of his involvement on the international scene came in 1996, when he served as Director of Competition for Track and Field at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
In addition to those roles, Henson was also a valued member of the Indiana University faculty. Henson, who earned both his Master's and Ph.D. from Indiana University, joined the IU Department of Kinesiology faculty in 1980, serving in a part-time capacity until his retirement from coaching. Upon the completion of his 1996 Olympic responsibilities, he became a full-time assistant professor until his retirement in 2013.
"Phil wore many hats at IU, all the way from full-time coach to professor, and most recently as a volunteer coach working with Coach Jake Wiseman and his multi-athletes," said IU Track and Field Coach Ron Helmer. "Phil's knowledge of track and field was boundless, making him a highly sought after meet referee and official, including his work at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. Beyond that, Phil was just a good man who truly loved what he did. The track and field community lost a good one."
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