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The Henderson family has dominated the football and baseball fields at the local school for the past 10 years through four sons, Spencer, Grant, Tommy, and Nick.
Their dad Adam estimates that he and his wife Kim have been to about 500 high school contests between the four athletes. "We've rarely missed any of their games and have loved every minute of it," he says. "We'll still go see Cal baseball games with Tommy and there'll be football for Nick at the college level."
They've all been scholar-athletes and all have been named captains for their respective teams.
"To me," says Adam, "the role of captain has been greatest for the kids. It takes them out of being self-centered and focuses them on the efforts of the team."
Here's a rundown of the four student-athlete's individual accomplishments:
Spencer (2012). All-DFAL in football (as a senior) and baseball (junior), and Male Athlete of the Year for Acalanes his senior season.
As a left-handed pitcher and first baseman he finished with a career 18-3 record to help the Dons win the NCS baseball title in 2012. He was a two-way starter in football, playing quarterback and middle linebacker.
Recruited by multiple schools, including Stanford, Spencer chose UC Davis because they allowed him to play both sports. He played one year of football before focusing on baseball. Against Nevada-Reno, he was the winning pitcher and drove in all the runs for Davis. He earned All-Conference honors in the Big West and got his 'cup-of-coffee' in the minor leagues before deciding to give up baseball and move on with the rest of his life.
Grant (2014). All-DFAL honors in baseball as a junior and senior and helped the team to three consecutive CIF NCS Division III titles. Grant, a catcher, who threw right and batted left, hit .438 his junior year and .389 as a senior.
He was also an all-DFAL linebacker but injuries limited his playing time. He suffered a torn ACL his junior year, but rehabbed enough to get back on both playing fields. He tore the same ACL four games into his senior football season, but once again rehabbed and was ready for baseball.
"He worked his tail off and was a great inspiration in overcoming the adversity," says his proud father. "Unfortunately, he tore ligaments in his ankle in a collision at home plate, and then an arm injury ended his career."
UC Davis honored his baseball scholarship and the team invited him to work in the broadcast booth and help the sports trainers. "Although it devastated him to give up the sport," said Adam, "he embraced the rest of what the campus had to offer."
Grant joined the Outdoor Adventures program and became a raft guide and, in his senior year at Davis, is also a ski instructor at Sugar Bowl.
Tommy. All-DFAL honors as a junior, and MVP of the Foothill League his senior season in baseball and all-league his junior and senior seasons in football. He started four years of varsity baseball at Acalanes as an infielder and three years as linebacker and running back in football.
He batted .365 and helped the Dons to a CIF NCS Division III title. Their 26-2 record is the best ever compiled at the school.
Tommy was the first Henderson to break the mold and committed to UC-Berkeley, even though he had an offer to play for Davis. Adam and Kim were happy they at least didn't have to change colors!
Tommy redshirted last year and should play on the infield this season.
Nick. Now a senior at Acalanes, Nick is weighing multiple offers to play football, including UC Davis.
Nick was a first team all-league selection and defensive MVP for the Dons, notching back-to-back seasons with over a hundred tackles from his linebacker position. He also played on special teams and offense. He helped lead the team to a 9-2 record, including a win over state runner-up Campolindo.
He's currently working hard in the weight room and should handle one of the power hitting spots in the lineup this spring.
Adam and Kim. Mom and Dad have certainly influenced the family. Adam credits his last minute decision to play at UC Davis under legendary coach Jim Sochor as having a profound influence on his life. He won all-Conference honors for the Aggies both his junior and senior years.
Kim grew up on a cattle ranch and the two met at UC Davis. She quit work after their third son was born to take on the full-time job of running the family.
The Henderson's contributions run far beyond their son's successes. On a plaque outside the Don's sports field, they are listed as impactful donors to the Acalanes sports programs.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA