Tom Henske Named To Northport HS Hall Of Fame
There was a good reason Tom Henske missed yesterday’s Staples soccer car wash: He was being inducted into the Northport High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
The ceremony — at the school just across the Sound from Westport — was richly deserved. A 4-year varsity starter, the Staples coach was one of the best Long Island goalkeepers in years. He led the Tigers to a 41-8-8 record, and 3 league championships. His goals-against average was 0.70.
Henske was a 2-year captain, a 3-year All-League and All County selection; a Puma and NSCAA All-American; New York State Gatorade Player of the Year, and Puma’s Natioanl Goalkeepr of the Year.
He played for the US U-18 and U-20 national teams.
At the University of Virginia, Henske started as a freshman (replacing national team player Tony Meola), and won 3 NCAA Division I championships. He was the hero of the first NCAA final hel played in, as the Cavaliers beat Santa Clara University 3-1 in a penalty kick shootout following a scoreless draw.
Henske ran UVa’s largest student fundraiser, “Shoot Out Cancer,” for a teammate. He donated his championship ring to charity, and organized events asking students, community members and businesses to match his contribution. As a senior, Henske received Virginia’s Distinguished Student Award.
Congratulations, Tom!
Tom Henske with his son Spencer — a Staples freshman goalkeeper — and daughter Sammi.
