Building on CCHS’s tradition is his goal as principal
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff writer
When Eric Henderson came to Burlington and Catholic Central High School in 2009, he had no inkling he’d be stepping into the school’s top job three years later.
He was initially hired as the school’s basketball coach and athletic director.
“The thing that initially attracted me to Catholic Central was the proud tradition that they have for athletics,” Henderson said. “Not only being competitive, but the quality of the individuals that they have coaching each sport.
“Not only are they great coaches, but they are better people.”
Becoming principal of the high school wasn’t precisely what he had in mind when he arrived, but now that the chance is here, he is excited. Henderson will take over principal duties at CCHS when current principal Greg Groth retires in June.
Henderson’s first day in that job will be July 1. The CCHS School Board approved his promotion last month.
“I like to pursue opportunity,” said Henderson. “Especially opportunities that deal with leadership and leading quality people.
“When Greg decided to retire and approached me to see if I had an interest, the opportunity certainly excited me because of the quality group of people I would be working with,” he added. “Catholic Central High School has an outstanding staff, dedicated students and supportive parents.”
Henderson came to Catholic Central from Iowa State University, where he was an assistant coach with the Cyclones. However, Henderson also has a Bachelor of Science in elementary education (K-8) from Wayne State College, and a Master’s in higher education (educational leadership and policy study) from Iowa State.
He will remain head coach of the Catholic Central boys basketball team, but the school will hire a new athletic director. That job has not been filled yet.
In the meantime, Henderson is excited to take what he’s learned at the school and put it into a new perspective.
“Greg has built a culture that makes it easy for people to work together,” he said. “The culture and vision are unmatched, and I look forward to continuing what Greg has started. Greg has been a great mentor and a great leader for this school.
“There are a lot of great things going on here,” added Henderson, pointing to the increased enrollment and the school’s new iPad initiative, which will place an iPad into the hands of every high school student.
“Catholic Central High School is a great place to be,” he said. He stressed the school’s founding philosophies – faith, knowledge and tradition – will remain key.
“We are proud to be a Catholic high school, and graduate college-prep students and build on the legacies that our past alumni have built.”
What he likes best about the school, though, is a sense of family. He and his wife, Alicia, he said, are thankful for the opportunities they’ve gotten here – and the support. The couple’s two young children are examples of that, as Alicia, Kooper and Kort are present at most athletic events and athletes are many times helping take care of the two children.
It’s just one example of that larger “family” Henderson is so excited about.
“The family atmosphere we provide,” he said. “With a caring staff and smaller class sizes, we are able to develop and push students to reach their maximum potential.”
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