Mike Henderson: An Impactful Coach and Mentor

SEATTLE (September 22) – Michael Francis (Mike) Henderson, a prominent and popular Seattle coach over four decades and celebrated volunteer, died earlier this week. He was 70. We wish to express our deepest sympathies to his family and many friends and former players and teammates. He was known to many.

Mike was one of 18 Henderson siblings and grew up in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Inspired by Pelé, he was devoted to the game at an early age and began coaching CYO at St. Joe’s while still a teen. He was a volunteer coach for more than 35 years, guiding more than 30 CYO and club teams to championships. Mike would later coach Seattle Central College.

Among the noted youth players he helped develop were Peter Hattrup, Gerard McGlynn, David Wittrell and younger brother Eddie Henderson. The latter two became the first All-Americans at Seattle Pacific and Washington, respectively.

Although he moved to New York City with no plans to coach further, Mike soon became involved with inner city youth teams and coaching FC Harlem.

In 1998, Mike was one of five Washington state residents honored with the Jefferson Award for extraordinary volunteerism. In nominating Mike for that award, team parent Dave Spicer wrote: “He has coached boys and girls, men and women, on teams ranging from ages 6 to 60, and has made a phenomenal impact on hundreds of youth in our area.”