RELEASED:  Monday, August 18, 2008

Henke Named UW-Stevens Point Softball Coach

STEVENS POINT, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Athletic Director Frank O’Brien announced August 17, the hiring of Thomas Henke as the interim women’s softball coach for the 2008-09 season.

A prominent figure in the world of youth softball in the Plover/Whiting area, Coach Henke brings a wealth of softball coaching experience to the Pointers. 

“I am very excited about the opportunity to take on this coaching responsibility and take my experience to the next level,” said Henke.  “This has been something I have been thinking about for a long time and UWSP has an outstanding tradition and a great track record especially in the sport of softball, including winning a national championship.  I am honored to take on this responsibility.”

Henke has been the head fastpitch coach of the Plover-Whiting Youth Athletics league team since 1993 and his teams have finished in first place six of the last nine years.  Henke has also served as the head coach of the Plover-Whiting fastpitch tournament team since 2000, and led the team to a third place finish in the ASA National Tournament in 2007.  Henke’s tournament team’s have posted a .750 winning percentage in his eight years at the helm.

“We are thrilled to have Tom Henke lead our women’s softball program,” said O’Brien.  “We are excited about the future of our program under his direction.”

Henke serves as the president of Felker Brothers Corporation of Marshfield, a business specializing in stainless steel piping products.  Henke is a 1976 graduate of UW-La Crosse with a degree in marketing.