Las Cruces, NM - The New Mexico State University Board of Regents approved a request today to name the Pan American Center Basketball Court in honor of Head Men's Basketball Coach Lou Henson at their meeting at the NMSU Grants Branch campus. The floor will be called the "Lou Henson Court" as recommended by the University Naming Committee. The dedication activities are set for February 8-9.
"I'm deeply humbled by this great honor," NMSU head basketball coach Lou Henson said. "I have been blessed in many different ways in my life now my cup runneth over. Outside of faith, family, and friends, the game of basketball has meant everything to me. To be recognized in this manner by my Alma Mater is very gratifying. I am most grateful to the NMSU Board of Regents and administrators for their generous actions."
The naming request was made to recognize the many contributions that Coach Henson has made to the University, the community, the State and to the sport of intercollegiate basketball.
"Wherever I travel in the state, New Mexicans express a great love for what coach Henson has meant to New Mexico State," NMSU Board of Regents Del Archuleta said. "The idea to name the floor after coach Henson came from the people of the state. They want to see his name, and the integrity and heart and love he has for his alma mater, a permanent part of the Pan American Center."
"Talented, dedicated student-athletes have made all this possible," Henson said. " Every player I have coached deserves a piece of this recognition. My
family, my staffs and their families have made untold sacrifices throughout
the years. Aggie fans everywhere should also derive a keen sense of pride
since their tremendous support for our program has helped foster whatever
successes we have achieved."
Formal dedication of the "Lou Henson Court" will take place during special ceremonies prior to the Aggies tip-off against Western New Mexico on February 9th. A "Roast the Coach" Dinner will take place the preceding
evening involving former players, coaches and the community at the Mesilla
Valley Inn Columbus Conference Center. The dinner will become an annual
fund-raising event to raise funds for athletics scholarships at NMSU.
"We are thrilled that Lou is being honored in this manner," said New Mexico
State University President Jay Gogue. "Not only is he one of the winningest
NCAA Division I coaches of all time, he and his wife Mary are the nicest
people you'll ever meet. No university could ask for a better ambassador than
Lou Henson, and he is a true New Mexico State Aggie. He played basketball
here, he got his bachelor's and master's degrees here, he coached here in
the 60's and 70's, and we are so glad he came back in 1997 to head our
program again."
Coach Henson has 722 career victories; 4 NIT appearances, 19 NCAA
appearances, and two NCAA Final Four trips (one at NMSU in 1969-70, one
at Illinois in 1988-89). He is the fifth winningest active coach in Division I
basketball and ranks twelfth on the list of all-time winningest coaches in
Division I history. Mr. Henson is a member of three Halls of Fame, those at
New Mexico State University and Hardin-Simmons University, as well as the
Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.