MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions: Head Coach James Henry
7/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
July 19, 2011
Each weekday in the month of July, MGoBlue.com will feature an interview with a U-M head coach. At the helm of the women's track and field program is James Henry, who talks about recruiting and keeping a secret from his wife.
What makes the summer in women's track and field so unique?
We are the only sport that the season ends as late as the end of June. We start recruiting at the beginning of July, so there is not much off-time for us as a staff.
Why are the summer months so important to the development of your team?
Kids can voluntarily do extra work. They can stay on campus and develop. But for us, sometimes, if they are our top athletes, they would need to rest. Sometimes rest is just as important, if not more, than continuing to train during the summer. Then, it is important for the future of our team, to get in the early recruiting at the beginning of July.
What do you see as the team's biggest strength heading into next season?
I think we are a veteran team. We underachieved this past year. I think that if we use our veteran leadership to overachieve this next year, we can make a significant move up in the conference.
What was your first summer job? Where?
My first summer job was the worst job of my life. I got paid $1.45 an hour for digging graves in New Haven, Mich.
Do you or did you have any special travel plans this summer?
No, I am out recruiting this summer. I am going into the homes to recruit, recruit, recruit. I don't have any plans to go anywhere unless it is on a recruiting trip.
Tell us one unique thing you've done since the season ended?
I have been working very hard on a surprise birthday party for my wife. I have been spending a year practicing urban ballroom dancing because my wife loves to dance. I have planned this party so we can dance together. I have been working really hard to keep it a secret from her. I rarely keep secrets from my wife, but I think this is a good one to keep.
Past MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions
• Head Wrestling Coach Joe McFarland (July 19)
• Head Women's Golf Cheryl Stacy (July 18)
• Head Men's Golf Coach Chris Whitten (July 18)
• Head Rowing Coach Mark Rothstein (July 15)
• Head Women's Swimming Coach Jim Richardson (July 14)
• Head Volleyball Coach Mark Rosen (July 13)
• Head Men's Soccer Coach Steve Burns (July 12)
• Head Women's Cross Country Coach Mike McGuire (July 11)
• Head Men's Cross Country Coach Alex Gibby (July 11)
• Head Women's Soccer Coach Greg Ryan (July 8)
• Head Men's Tennis Coach Bruce Berque (July 7)
• Head Men's Track & Field Coach Fred LaPlante (July 6)
• Head Water Polo Coach Matt Anderson (July 5)
• Head Men's Swimming & Diving Coach Mike Bottom (July 1)
