Henry Has Emotional Day As He Signs With UNI
Oskaloosa’s Cole Henry signed his letter of intent to play for the University of Northern Iowa Panthers, joining their basketball squad. Pictured is John Henry, Cole Henry, and Maggie Henry.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Oskaloosa’s Cole Henry and his family had an emotional day as he officially signed his letter of intent to play for the University of Northern Iowa’s Panthers.
Young Cole Henry always dreamed of the day he would play for the Panthers, and on Wednesday morning, that dream became a reality.
Henry and his family, with a gaggle of reporters present, spoke about the opportunity the senior Oskaloosa Indian has waited for.
For Henry, the dream of playing for UNI started at a young age, and his visits to the university “felt so amazing. The atmosphere there, the campus was beautiful, and all the coaches made it feel really special.”
“It’s crazy to think about how well I fit there. I just can’t wait to make it happen next year,” added Henry.
Young Henry was mowing the lawn the day UNI called to offer him a spot on the team. When the offer was made, “I just lost it; I just broke down. I was so excited. I couldn’t believe it was happening. I knew pretty much from that moment they were the front-runner. After I visited, I made it official and I couldn’t be happier with my decision.”
Knowing what his future plans are will allow him to focus on the season at hand says, Henry. “There is a lot of pressure taken off my shoulders.”
Henry also found success on the football field, but Cole’s mother Maggie wasn’t a fan of football and is happy to see her son back on the basketball court.
Oskaloosa News asked Cole if there was concern that he would get hurt this past season as quarterback of the Indians, get hurt, and then miss the basketball season. “Yeah, a little bit. After I committed August 12th, football season was right around the corner, and I had a decision to make. I thought about not playing, but thank god I stuck it out because we had a great season. I didn’t want to let my brothers down.”
Cole’s father John is the head coach for the William Penn University Men’s Basketball team and Cole has grown up familiar with what it takes to perform at a college level.
“Growing up, the William Penn Gym was my second gym,” explained Cole. “It’s kind of where I developed my game in total. I owe a lot to William Penn and my Dad. He’s pretty much taught me everything I know about the game of basketball. To be able to grow up in that gym and to be able to play against people my size or bigger growing up, it really has developed my game. This summer I think I owe a lot to that because I was playing open gym against the William Penn team and it really taught me the college atmosphere.”
Henry’s light began to shine this past summer under the direction of Hank Huddleson from Martin Brothers AAU. “He made this entire thing possible.”
Henry also thanked his coach Ryan Parker at Oskaloosa High School. “And of course my mom and my dad have been a great help. They’ve really done a lot.”
Maggie Henry was a very excited and proud mother as she watched her son sign on the line to make his dream come true.
“I’m excited, said Maggie. “He’s ready. I like that it’s close so that we can get up there and see him.”
That travel time will be extensive come basketball season, with John’s travel with the William Penn squad, Cole’s journeys with the UNI Panthers after this year, and the youngest ballplayer in the family, Ellie Henry, who is currently a sophomore basketball player for the Oskaloosa Indians.
When the time comes, Coach Henry may be getting game updates from wife Maggie via text message.
“To be able to play this entire season now with really no stress at all, it’s going to feel great,” added Cole Henry as he looked to the quickly approaching season. “I’m happy that I can just play to win now and not play to impress anybody.”
“Last year the community really showed us support even after we lost,” said Henry. “I just really think the community is looking for a state championship, and I hope I can deliver that.”
