The EDC Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year for the 2023-2024 season is South High’s physical education teacher, Mr. Mike Hendrickson. Coach of South High’s Boys’ Basketball for 27 years, along with 6 other years of basketball coaching experience, he responded to some questions in an interview with the Sudhian.

Mr. Hendrickson, congratulations on being EDC Coach of the Year for Boys’ Basketball. How do you bring your personal values into coaching?

“I try to get across to the team that they are representing many around them.  I want their actions to be the best they can be,” said Hendrickson. “They are representing themselves, our coaching staff, Dr. Bertsch, our school and our community.”

What have been the easiest and hardest parts of coaching?

“For the easiest part, nothing is easy,” wrote Hendrickson. “You get out of something what you put into it. Everything is earned – if you have the right attitude, it may be easier, but never easy.” On the other hand, the hardest part, he writes, is “putting a team together and having all team members understand a role.”

How do you measure success as a coach?

“The way I look at it,” responded Hendrickson, “it’s about ‘did I enjoy the season?’ because it isn’t about winning, but I coach because I am competitive! The big picture is, those who are in our program, are they good people (family members, sons, boyfriends, someday husbands and fathers) doing the right thing and making the right decisions?”

How would your players describe you as a coach?

“I would hope they would say that I hold them accountable for their actions and reactions.  I have standards and expect them to have standards for themselves and their teammates.”