Betsy Reinicker Henderson

Betsy Reinicker Henderson was a stellar athlete who graduated from Emory & Henry in 1975. During her time as a Wasp, she lettered two years in volleyball, three in tennis, and three in basketball.

Henderson played on the basketball team for three years and served as co-captain of the squad. During her senior year, she was a member of what is considered one of Emory & Henry’s best women’s basketball teams. The team ended the season with a second place finish in state competition, which at that time included both colleges and universities.

Throughout her college career, Betsy displayed outstanding leadership, grace, determination, and strength. In 1974, she received the Hall Memorial Award, the highest honor given to a female athlete at Emory & Henry.

After graduating, Henderson attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She then taught health and physical education for decades for Roanoke County Schools. Henderson’s love of sports has continued to show, as she has coached high school basketball, volleyball, and girls’ and boys’ tennis; as well as junior high track, volleyball, basketball. She has also served as co-intramural director at Hidden Valley Country Club. In 2010, Reinicker competed in the Triathlon World Championship in The Gold Coast, Australia, and was the first American finisher in both the olympic and sprint races.