Lakehead University

This week Lakehead Athletics looks at one of its most successful female athletic alumni; Linda Henderson.  Henderson played for the then Lakehead Nor Westers women’s volleyball team from 1982-85 when her squad played in the GPAC conference (Great Plains Athletic Conference). 

Henderson not only played varsity for Lakehead; she was one of the driving forces in getting women’s volleyball re-instated as a varsity program in 1982.  Although her squad never won a conference championship; Henderson was named a GPAC All Star in 1985. 
The Toronto native graduated from Lakehead with three degrees; an HBPHE in 1982, and she received a Master of Science Degree in the Theory of Coaching and a B Ed in 1985.

 

Henderson said her time at Lakehead prepared her well both as an educator and as a high-level coach.  “Lakehead University prepared me in many ways for the next phase in my life.  In particular, as a varsity student-athlete, I was taught leadership skills, through being a captain of the team. I needed to be a positive role model for the younger athletes and I was also expected to speak in a professional manner when dealing with the officials, coaches and the media.  I also learned public speaking skills as I was often the spokesperson for the team.   I learned time management skills, as I balanced an academic life with my athletic life.  Trying to fit everything in was often a challenge but I learned how to cope and to prioritize.”

Henderson added that attending Lakehead also taught her the meaning of passion, dedication, and committment.  “Finally I learned how to be dedicated and committed to my passion; the sport of volleyball. Twenty-two years later, I am still that committed and passionate and dedicated person to the sport of volleyball. I have mentored hundreds of athletes and coaches and have taught them how to be passionate, dedicated and committed to life!”

 

Henderson said she also had a lot of fun while attending Lakehead.  “My fondest memory (other than graduating with my classmates) was when my two best friends, Wendy and Karen, whom I met at Lakehead, painted the Engineers' cannon blue and wrote BPHE 3 rules!”

After graduating from Lakehead she was offered a full-time coaching/teaching job at Grande Prairie Regional College, where she stayed for a year.  She then moved to Vancouver, and taught at UBC in the Faculty of Education for a year, before moving to Victoria in 1988.
Henderson then worked full-time at the University of Victoria from 1988-2006 (18 years) in addition to following her volleyball coaching career and passion. For her first three years at U Vic (1988-1991) she was working for the Faculty of Education instructing full-time in the area of Teacher Pedagogy. 

From 1991-2006, she worked in the Athletics and Recreational Services Department as a Sports Club Administrator and as the Aquatics Director.  Then last year, July 2006, she was offered a really good position with the BC Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, as a Sport and Recreation Consultant/Policy Analyst.

In 1996 she received her Level 4 NCCP Coaching Certification and National Coaching Institute Diploma at the University of Victoria where she is currently a Master Coach.  She also has her NCCP Volleyball coaching diplomas for level 1-4. 

All during her career as an educator; Henderson continued coaching volleyball at the high school, college, club, provincial, and university levels.  She has led her various teams to many championships and has received many prestigious awards during her coaching tenure.  She has been the coach of the Camosun College (B.C.) Chargers men’s volleyball squad since 1993.

Henderson said she is proud of the role she played in Lakehead volleyball history and it has been the cornerstone of her professional career.  “My best athletic memory at Lakehead University was being recognized in my final year as a GPAC All-star. This was not because of the award, but rather it was because Lakehead FINALLY was getting some recognition for being in GPAC.  I loved my time at Lakehead. It was the place where I grew up, made life-long friends, and got a fabulous education; all while playing a sport I loved!  I would change nothing about the experience.  I lived, I loved and I grew as a person.” 

Linda Henderson Bio Info:
Home Town: Toronto, Ontario
University: Lakehead University

Degrees/Coaching Levels:
• HBPHE; BEd.; MSC
• Master Coach, NCI
• NCCP Level 4
• NCCP Level 1-4 Volleyball Course
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• NCCP Competition – Intro Part A & B
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Coaching Experience:
• Head Coach Camosun Chargers, 1993-present
• 20 years coaching experience at university, college, provincial
team, club, and high school levels across Canada

Sports Experience:
• 3 years CIAU Volleyball at Lakehead University (82-85)
• 2 years Club Volleyball at Lakehead University (80-82)

Career Highlights:
• 2005-2006 BCCAA Men's Volleyball Coaching Excellence Award
• 2004-2005 Junior Club Provincial Gold Medalists
• 2003-2004 Junior Club Provincial Bronze Medalists
• 2003-2004 Junior Club National Bronze Medalists
• 2003-2004 CCAA Coach of the Year, All Sports
• 2002-2003 CCAA Bronze Medalists
• 2002-2003 BCCAA Gold Medalists
• 2002-2003 BCVA Coach of the Year
• 2001-2002 BCCAA Gold Medalists
• 2001 Canada Games Men’s Beach Gold Medalists
• 2000 Junior Club Provincial Gold Medalists
• 2000 BCCAA Silver Medalists
• 1999 Junior Club National Bronze Medalists
• 1999 BCCAA Gold Medalist
• 1996 BCCAA Bronze Medalists

Professional Contributions:
• Victoria Volleyball Association Past President
• Volleyball BC Board of Directors Member