SR1365 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1365 LRB101 22110 LAW 73133 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Louis Ray "Lou" Henson, who passed away on July 25, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson was born to Joe Henson and Lora Faye Falconer Henson on January 10, 1932; he grew up on a small farm near Okay, Oklahoma; he played basketball at Okay High School, Connors State College, and New Mexico A&M; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson pursued a coaching career after college; he served as a graduate assistant to his mentor Presley Askew; he later earned his master's degree and was offered a coaching job and a mathematics teaching position at Las Cruces High School (LCHS) in Las Cruces, New Mexico; after two years, he became the head coach while still teaching multiple math classes; his LCHS teams won three consecutive New Mexico State High School Championships; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson was offered the head coach position at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas; before accepting, he met with the Board of Trustees and noted that he would not accept the job until the school was integrated as there were no African Americans on campus either as student-athletes or faculty members at that time; after the board met overnight and agreed to integrate, he launched his college coaching career at the age of 30; and

WHEREAS, After coaching and serving as the athletic director three of the four years, Lou Henson was offered the head coaching position at his alma mater, New Mexico State University; within two years, he assumed the role of athletic director in addition to the head basketball coach position; he managed both jobs while playing a key role in the construction of the Pan American Center, a 13,000-seat multipurpose arena; he led the New Mexico State University Aggies to the Final Four in 1970, where they finished third; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson began coaching at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1975; alongside his assistants Tony Yates and Les Wothke, he made it a priority to visit every high school in the State in order to foster positive relationships with Illinois high school basketball coaches; during that first year, he and his staff visited more than 400 high schools; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson's efforts returned the University of Illinois basketball program to prominence, which culminated with the 1989 Final Four Flyin' Illini; his team was seldom outhustled or outworked; his Flyin' Illini were considered one of the most entertaining teams in collegiate basketball history, capturing the hearts of Illini Nation and basketball fans everywhere; he retired from the University of Illinois in 1996 as the school's all-time winningest coach with 423 victories in 21 seasons; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson returned to the New Mexico State University basketball program in the fall of 1997; after discussing the matter with his wife Mary, he consented to only coach for six months and stipulated that he receive no salary; at his request, New Mexico State University paid him one dollar per month to coach the Aggies for the first year, with his net pay being the grand sum of 75 cents; he was persuaded to continue coaching at New Mexico State University for the next six years; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson has the distinction of being the coach with the most wins at both New Mexico State University and the University of Illinois; he was entered into the sports halls of fame at both universities, and their floors were named after him; he is also one of a handful of coaches that have guided two different teams to the Final Four; he was selected as a member of the NCAA Basketball Hall of Fame on February 17, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2003; he started aggressive treatment at Carle Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center; although his cancer was in remission, he contracted viral encephalitis one year later; he was treated at the MountainView Regional Medical Center and later at the Texas Rehabilitation Center; he returned home in a wheelchair due to paralysis and other trauma; although he worked tirelessly to walk again, the encephalitis impacted his balance; by last count, he had fallen over 150 times with only one serious injury; he never complained about any of his health issues; he was thankful to have survived the cancer and encephalitis and incredibly grateful for his health care providers; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson is synonymous with University of Illinois basketball as it is impossible to discuss the university's basketball program without mentioning him; he was a coach who based his programs on strict discipline, which many of his former players credit for the success they achieved after their playing days; his humble demeanor, kindness, and tremendous character will never be forgotten; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson was preceded in death by his son, Louis Ray Henson Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Lou Henson is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Catherine Brantner Henson; his three daughters, Lori Jo Henson, Lisa Rose (John) Rutter, and Leigh Anne (Coit) Edison; his 12 grandchildren; his seven great-grandchildren; and his numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Louis Ray "Lou" Henson and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lou Henson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.