Herb is a graduate of Hamilton High School, class of 1943. He lettered in baseball as a sophomore at Hanover High School, and in his junior and senior years at Hamilton. He continued his baseball career at the University of Virginia. Herb played some professional baseball, touring Northern Kentucky and Indiana.
Starting in 1947, Herb was a teacher and coach at Reily School. In the fall, he coached the cross country team, with three athletes gaining Butler County Championships. During the winter, his coaching assignments included: men and women varsity, reserve; seventh and eighth grade teams. His teams were always well coached, disciplined and highly regarded in Butler County tournaments.
Herb’s teaching/coaching career was interrupted to serve as a second lieutenant in the Korean War, where he received several decorations for honorable service to his country.
After his military service, he returned to Reily School system to serve as superintendent for five years. Then, Herb received a call from Madison School District, and became their superintendent for six years. A major achievement was developing their first high school facility. Another Butler County school system realized Herb’s administrative leadership, and selected him as superintendent of Lakota Schools where he served for eighteen years.
Herb administered one of Ohio’s fastest growing school districts with an unprecedented building program. Lakota’s expansion included several new school buildings including one of the largest gyms in Butler County and an all-weather track. He was the key factor in Lakota’s move into the Greater Miami Conference.
We welcome Herb Henderson to the Talawanda Athletic Hall of Fame.