This is an occasional series of UNCG athletic "Staff Spotlights."

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Cole Henderson enters his third year as the Coordinator for Student-Athlete Support Services in 2020, after spending a year as an Academic Assistant during the 2017-18 campaign. He is the academic coach for women's soccer as well as men's and women's cross country and track and field, and helps serve as the community engagement coordinator. In his capacity as Coordinator for Student-Athlete Development, Cole is responsible for co-advising the UNCG Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). 

Henderson joined the Spartans after working with Wingate University's track and field team from 2016-17 as their Assistant Sprints coach after being promoted from the graduate assistant position in 2016. He has experience monitoring academics for student-athletes and currently serves on various committees for N4A, in addition to his work with the SAAC.

Henderson earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in sport management from Wingate University in 2015 and 2017, respectively. He was a four-year track and field athlete, earning All-American honors during his senior campaign.
 
He coordinated with Special Olympics North Carolina to have the first ever track and field meet to integrate Special Olympics athletes and typical athletes during the spring of 2016.

Henderson enjoys spending time with his wife, Morgan at coffee shops. 
 
How did playing sports in college help prepare you for the role you are in now at UNCG? 
I ran track in college. Thankfully, I am the academic coach for our track and cross-country programs here at the G. Although I was a sprinter, and our men and women's programs primarily focus on distance events, I understand what they go through. For these student-athletes, it is rare for anyone outside their peer group to grasp the difficulty of a fast 1K repeat with 400's workout. Generally speaking there's shared experiences among all collegiate student-athletes. These shared experiences are attached to pain, loss, and grit. These shared experiences help with connection and discernment, which helps me in my role. 

What does working at UNCG mean to you?
It means a lot to me because many professional firsts have happened to me here at UNCG. It is a place where some of the best people in North Carolina work and the most assorted young people come to learn- which is dope. 

Quick Hits
Favorite TV Shows: Chef's Table
What Are You Listening To: NPR Code Switch
Last Book Your Read/Currently Reading: Intimations by Zadie Smith
Favorite Websites: GQ
First Job: Omega Sports
Hidden Talent: Silence 
Favorite Sports Teams: 1993 USA 4x400m relay
Talent he would most like to have: To Heal
Favorite Food: Rice (Steamed or Fried)
Favorite Restaurant: Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant 
Hero: Mom
Bucket List: Sushi In Tokyo
Favorite Movies: O Brother, Where Art Thou; The Matrix
What is One Thing People Don't Know About You/Fun Fact?: I can chew an entire pack of gum in 10 minutes.