Alison Burroughs Gosnell
The Henson family celebrated the naming of Jerry Henson Field with Trent Henson, left, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Henson, middle, and Mr. and Mrs. Travis Henson, far right.
The Blue Ridge community, family and friends and many others Jerry Henson has crossed paths on the athletic field and in the classroom honored their favorite son by naming the baseball field, “Jerry Henson Field”.
The Greenville County School Board, Blue Ridge High School, past alumni, players, past and current, and Blue Ridge community honored Henson Tuesday night: Jerry Henson Field Dedication, A Lasting Legacy.
Henson and his sons, Trent and Travis, with their wives, attended Tuesday’s dedication. Travis is coach of the varsity and Jerry has been his assistant the past five years.
Jerry Henson’s story line, accumulated over more than 50 years, reads like a thick textbook. Some highlights for the native and lifelong resident of Blue Ridge, along the way include:
• 1962 BRHS honor graduate, 3-sport (football, basketball, baseball) standout, President of his senior class. Also member of student (1962) and athletic (2003) Hall of Fame.
• Graduate of North Greenville Junior College and Furman University, master’s from Converse College.
• 1970-2008, teacher at BRHS.
• Head coach in football, baseball and basketball.
• 14 years as head baseball coach, won 4 region titles, made 6 playoff appearances, won BRHS’s only Upper State championship in 1974.
• 19-game winning streak, 20-1 season record in 1977.
• 100th win in 1981 and his 116th by end of season.
The dedication reads:
May 30, 2017
Jerry Henson Field Dedication
A Lasting Legacy
Good coaches are game changers; Great coaches are life changers.
The best coaches have a direct positive influence on the outcome of a player, a game and a season; The best of the best have a direct positive influence on the outcome of life, a school, and a community.