Sounders FC Sporting Director Chris Henderson is being inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame on September 30, 2016, as announced by UCLA Athletics. Henderson, who starred for the Bruins from 1989-1990, becomes the eighth player from the storied men’s soccer program to be elected into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. The 2016 class also includes seven other individuals from softball, women’s gymnastics, men’s basketball, men and women’s water polo, track & field and football.
“I have great memories of my time at UCLA and winning the NCAA title in 1990,” Henderson said. “I am incredibly humbled and honored to be added to the 2016 class, with all the great men and women of UCLA’s Hall of Fame. I am a proud supporter of UCLA athletics and UCLA soccer, and have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.”
Henderson, an Edmonds, Washington native, played two seasons at UCLA. In 1989, he was selected to Soccer America’s All-Freshman Team. The following season, Henderson earned First Team NSCAA All-America honors and led the Bruins to their second NCAA title. That same year, Henderson earned a spot on the United States Men’s National Team roster at the 1990 World Cup in Italy at just 19 years of age – the youngest player in that summer’s tournament. During his time at UCLA, Henderson was coached by current Sounders FC boss Sigi Schmid during the Bruins’ historic run of success under the German-born manager.
“I think this is a tremendous honor for Chris, and it’s a well-deserved achievement,” said Schmid. “He’s enjoyed a fantastic career at UCLA and as a professional player, and now he’s one of the most respected technical leaders in our game. This honor is a deserving reward for a distinguished career.”
Schmid is set to give Henderson’s induction speech on September 30 at Centennial Hall on UCLA’s campus prior to Sounders FC’s October 2 clash against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Professionally, Henderson played internationally for Germany’s FSV Frankfurt and Norwegian side Stabaek before competing in MLS from 1996-2006 with five different clubs. An MLS original, Henderson played 11 seasons for five teams. Upon his retirement following the 2006 season, he was the MLS record-holder in four categories, including career games played and started. Henderson still shares the MLS single-game assist record (four assists for Kansas City in 1999) and he finished his career with 51 goals, while also earning 79 caps for the USMNT.
Since 2008, Henderson has served as Sounders FC’s Sporting Director, in which he assists the club in all areas of soccer operations, including scouting, player management, coaching decisions and the youth system. During his tenure in Seattle Henderson has helped guide Sounders FC to four Lamar Hunt U.S. Cup titles, one MLS Supporters’ Shield and seven consecutive postseason appearances.
The UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to honor the legacy of distinguished student-athletes. Since then, 279 Bruins have been inducted through a formal nomination and voting process from the selection committee. Henderson and the seven other inductees are being honored at the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Ceremony on Friday, September 30 at Centennial Hall on the UCLA campus.
