Promoted to Interim Director of Athletics May 4, 2026, John Henderson brings nearly two decades of collegiate athletics leadership experience, including 10 years at Duquesne, where he has served in progressive roles from Associate Athletics Director to Senior Associate Athletic Director. A student-athlete centered leader, Henderson fosters a highly competitive yet collaborative culture that prioritizes holistic development, well-being and championship-level performance.
Henderson has played a key role in building and elevating programs during his time on the Bluff, contributing to the transformation of men’s basketball, which is highlighted by the 2024 Atlantic 10 Championship and the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Championship since 1977 as well as the first victory for the program in the NCAA Tournament in 55 years. He has also supported sustained football success, including multiple conference titles, the program’s first appearance in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoff as well as its first victory over a NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) foe.
Owning extensive sport oversight experience, Henderson has served as the sport administrator for men’s basketball, football, women’s bowling and men’s and women’s tennis, driving both performance outcomes and operational excellence.
A recognized innovator in health and performance, Henderson has led transformative change through the development of an integrated healthcare and high-performance model, serving more than 550 student-athletes. His work spans sports medicine, mental health, nutrition and sports performance, positioning the Duquesne Department of Athletics at the forefront of student-athlete care. As an NCAA-designated healthcare administrator and Director of Counseling and Mental Health Services, Henderson also brings deep expertise in risk management, physician partnerships and comprehensive care delivery systems.
Henderson is an active contributor to governance and collaboration efforts, serving on multiple university and conference committees focused on health, safety and student-athlete welfare. His involvement includes work with the Duquesne Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Duquesne Health and Safety, Atlantic 10 Wellbeing initiatives, the Northeast Conference (NEC) Medical Advisory Board and the State of Utah Athletic Training Professional Licensure Board.
In addition to his internal leadership, Henderson has supported revenue generation and external engagement efforts, including fundraising, donor relations and corporate partnerships. He has also developed a dedicated sports performance and health fund while helping to cultivate key donor relationships and create new revenue streams.
Henderson's diverse professional background includes prior leadership roles in athletic performance and health at Weber State University and California State University, Monterey Bay, along with early career experience in business development. He originally joined the staff at Duquesne in August of 2016.
Henderson is a 2007 graduate of Weber State, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in clinical athletic training. He also earned a Master of Science degree in sports conditioning and performance in 2011 from Southern Utah. He and his wife, Yvette, have two sons, Derek and Marcus, who each graduated from Duquesne University.
