Paul Henry
Men's Basketball, 1960-1962

Basketball and Coffeyville College has had a significant impact on Paul Henry’s life.  Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana where basketball is still king, Paul began playing basketball at an early age.  Oscar Robertson and many other older basketball players certainly had a great influence. Many long hours were spent on the basketball courts throughout the city, including dirt courts.  During the summer when the courts were dry, and the dirt turned to dust there were many basketball competitions that were known as the “Dust Bowl Tournaments”.  These early experiences gave Paul the foundation to be selected to play on his junior high team as well as his high school basketball team. 

Paul attended Shortridge High School starting in 1956.  He made the freshman basketball team and played for four years.  During his junior year Shortridge won the City Tournament, however, Crispus Attucks High School beat Shortridge in the sectional on a last-second shot to go to the state tournament.  It was the assistant coach at Shortridge that was instrumental in Paul and his best friend, Lou Williams attending Coffeyville College and playing for Coach Jack Hartman.  

Paul remembers Lou’s father driving them to meet Jack Hartman.  Upon arrival, Coach Hartman arranged a pick-up game between the two recruits and several of the current players.  Jerry Burton was also a part of that game.  Paul has many fond memories of playing basketball at Coffeyville, but the highlight is his experience on the 1962 National Championship team where he was named MVP of the National Tournament as well as being selected to the All-America team. Paul says “It was gratifying to know that my defensive effort was an important factor for these honors.”.   Paul and his fellow teammates finished the ’62 season with a 32-0 record capturing the NJCAA National Championship over Lon Morris, Texas with a 74-49 victory. 

To sum up his time at Coffeyville College, Paul states, “The two years I spent in Coffeyville, I grew up not only as a basketball player but also matured as an individual.  I think of all the support our team received from my house mother, individuals who took an interest in the team and the athletic boosters.”  Paul specifically remembers the Weinberg’s.

After graduating from Coffeyville College in the spring of 1962, Paul transferred to Southern Illinois University along with Raven teammate Lou Williams to play for Coach Hartman who had accepted the head coaching position at SIU.  During his playing days at SIU, Paul and his teammates defeated several Division I schools.  Paul averaged eleven points a game both years at SIU and he was selected MVP by the team both years. 

In 1965, Paul graduated from SIU with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in Driver’s Education.  Shortly after graduating he married his wife of 53 years, Carol and began his career at Breckenridge Job Corps in Kentucky teaching P.E., directing Drivers Education and coaching the junior varsity basketball team.  Following a three-year stint at Breckenridge, Paul returned to SIU as an academic advisor and graduate assistant for Coach Hartman’s basketball team and eventually earned his Master’s degree in Health Education.  During his time at SIU, Paul played a major role in recruiting student-athletes.  Among some of his most notable recruits were Joe C. Merriweather and Mike Glenn who both eventually played in the NBA. 

Paul left the coaching profession in 1973 to pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. In 1976, he began working with the Medical, Dental, Educational Preparatory Program.  This program allowed him to work with minority and disadvantaged students who were pursuing a career in medical and dental fields.  Upon completion of his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Paul was promoted to assistant professor.  After 35 years in MEDPREP, Paul retired in 2012 from his career as an associate director of the program. 

Paul and Carol still reside in Carbondale, where they have raised their children.  Paul and his wife are the proud grandparents to three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.  Paul feels that his time in Coffeyville and association with basketball greatly contributed to his accomplishments in life.