Baldwin resident Kelly Henderson wins Nathaniel J. Hasenfus '22 Eagle of the Year Award at Boston College

Baldwin resident Kelly Henderson, an All-America defender and co-captain of the Boston College women's soccer team, earned the Nathaniel J. Hasenfus '22 Eagle of the Year Award at the college's All-Sports Banquet on May 7.

"When [Boston College] administration first told me I won, I was both shocked and overwhelmed with emotions because the honor is something that I've aspired to receive," Henderson said, adding that she could not have succeeded without the support of her parents, coaches and teammates. "The level of respect that I have for past Eagle of the Year student-athletes is infinite and I truly never thought I would be in the running for such a prestigious award."

The award is issued each year to one male and one female student-athlete exemplifying excellence in citizenship, leadership, scholastic achievement and athletics. It is Boston College's highest athletic award.

Henderson earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team recognition and, as a senior defender in 2009, earned All-America second-team honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). In 89 career games — she ranks first in games played in Boston College history — she has nine goals and 31 points.

Academically, Henderson was recently named a recipient of the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Weaver-James-Corrigan Postgraduate Scholarship. She earned Dean's List honors from the Lynch School of Education, where she majors in elementary education and human development. She is a two-time recipient of the Athletic Directors' Award for Academic Achievement and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Henderson will graduate later this year. After that, she will be moving to Philadelphia to play with the Philadelphia Independence in the Women's Professional Soccer league. She also hopes to attend graduate school in New York at some point, looking to obtain Master's Degree in Special Education/Elementary Education.

Said Henderson, "I know I want to play professional soccer and eventually teach and coach."