Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(written by Nick Osterloo, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Apr. 6, 2018 - For the past four years, North Central College has been a place of refuge for senior men's basketball student-athlete and Chicago native Erwin Henry. As graduation draws closer, Henry is looking forward to applying what he has learned in his collegiate experience to make an impact at home, as he will be working to facilitate programs for students in the Chicago Public Schools.

Among Henry's reasons for choosing to attend North Central was the desire find a change of scenery: "I grew up with a single parent, it was me, my mother and four sisters," he said. "I thought it would be a good idea to get away from the Chicago area and move into a safer place in the suburbs and meet new people."

Henry provided an immediate impact as a member of the Cardinals' men's basketball program, appearing in 101 games (starting 80) over the course of four seasons before an injury put an end to his career late in his senior season. He was a Second Team All-College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) selection as a junior and ranks 22nd in the program's history in scoring with 1,082 points. He was ranked second on the team and 13th in the CCIW in scoring at 13.8 points per game this past season prior to his injury. North Central has appeared in the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship each of the past three seasons.

Henry's introduction to basketball came early in his life and was nurtured by the example and tutelage of his grandfather and aunt.

"My aunt was playing in a high school game when I was five years old, and I got pulled out of the crowd to shoot a free throw," he said. "I made the free throw and have loved basketball ever since. (My aunt) taught me a lot of things on and off the court. My grandfather was also a player and a coach, and he took me under his wing to help me as well."

Undecided on his area of study when he initially enrolled in college, Henry again turned to the advice of his grandfather and decided to pursue an accounting degree with a minor in finance.

A graduate of Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago, Henry has also worked with the Chicago Public Schools' support and engagement offices throughout his time at North Central, and will begin an internship position with CPS after commencement in June.

"Once I graduate, I will be the Academic Decathlon Coordinator," Henry explained. "Each year, we are given a budget, and it's on our team of five or six to decide how we spend it. We have chess, debate, math and other programs for kids to get involved in."

CPS has the largest number of participants of any school district in the nation in the Academic Decathlon, part of the United States Academic Decathlon competition. Approximately 70 CPS high schools compete in two citywide competitions, with the winner advancing to the state competition. Students are tested in seven academic areas at three levels of competition, with the goals of promoting academic excellence, fostering teamwork, and improving communication and study skills.

Part of Henry's motivation to give back to his community comes from the example set by his former Whitney Young basketball teammate Jahlil Okafor, who currently plays in the NBA for the Brooklyn Nets.  

"I look up to him because he was in the same position I was in financially, but his skills took him to higher places," Henry said. "Once he made millions of dollars, he didn't forget about the people around him and who he trusted."

Henry believes he made a great choice by deciding to attend North Central and is excited for the opportunity to use what he has learned to make a positive impact on others.

"I think I am in a really great position," he said. "Not a lot of people who have grown up in western Chicago have made it to where I am right now. I'm glad I had this opportunity, and it's been an amazing experience. Now, it's time for me to go out in the real world and show what I can do."