The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is saddened to hear of the passing of longtime Biola women’s tennis coach, and pioneer of the wheelchair tennis space, Dee Henry.
Henry truly committed her entire life to the betterment of our sport, beginning her coaching career in 1971 with Biola and coaching the Eagles for the next 45 years while also serving youth and underprivileged players in her community.
As a member of the ITA Board of Directors, Henry made a meaningful impact on the sport of college tennis and pushed her teams to not only make a lasting impact on the court but in the community as well.
Henry became known as one of the leading voices behind wheelchair tennis in the United States and her efforts around the space have left an impact on countless players around the country.
She was honored by the USTA Southern California Section with service awards in 1987, 1993, 1996, and 2001 for her outstanding work with adults and juniors. Henry also earned many USPTA California Division honors, including being named the 1997 Coach of the Year, the 2001 Handicap Pro of the Year, and the 2008 Special Needs Coach of the Year.
Henry earned the USTA Southern California Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, the USPTA Pete Brown Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, and the ITHF’s Tennis Educational Merit Award for outstanding service to tennis in 2016.
Whether it was at Biola or in her community, Henry’s impact on the sport of tennis will be felt for generations to come, and she will be greatly missed by all.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 29 at 10 am (PST) from the Whittier Area Community Church in Whittier, California. For those unable to travel, a live stream will be available, with more details becoming available in the coming days.
