Los Angeles, CA – For the second consecutive year, Academy of Art University Baseball has had the pleasure of seeing an Urban Knight given the chance to pursue a lifelong dream of reaching the professional ranks.
On Monday, Stefen Henderson signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the second Urban Knight join a professional sports team after Zach Babitt pioneered that list when the Dodgers drafted him in 2012. Henderson, one of three four-year artist-athletes developed at ART U, led Academy of Art in extra-base hits and stolen bases as a senior, making him an appealing option for the second-oldest franchise on the West Coast and the current leaders of the National League West.
"It feels amazing to know that all that I've worked for has paid off," Henderson said. "My family and friends are all so excited because they know I've been playing since I was four years old with this dream."
"We are very happy for Stef," Coach Guinn said. "It's a good feeling for us as a coaching staff and a testament to what we've done. It shows where we're headed as we keep working with guys and making ourselves a contender. Stef embraced our instruction and ran with it. We're proud of him."
In 2013, Henderson paced the Urban Knights with a .404 slugging percentage and converted 25 of his 26 steal attempts to rank both first in the PacWest and among the Top 50 in NCAA Division II in that category. He drew 34 walks (third in PacWest), tripled on three occasions (fourth in PacWest), and hit 13 doubles (eighth in PacWest). Overall, the Vallejo native went for 19 extra-base hits to lead the team.
"I want to thank Coach Guinn, the ART U coaching staff, and Academy of Art University for giving me the opportunity to play," Henderson said. "I would recommend Coach Guinn for anyone who wants to pursue this game."
"Stef came in as a freshman and improved every year," Coach Guinn said. "He stepped into the college game and was an everyday starter right away. You never know what will happen, but as he continues to develop, the sky's the limit for him."
Having completed his four-year collegiate career this past spring, Henderson has become the Urban Knights' career leader in home runs, doubles, triples, runs batted in, walks, games played and started, as well as second in runs scored and stolen bases. He also set program single-season records with 13 doubles and 34 walks in 2013.
"Stefen Henderson has worked extremely hard in his four years at the Academy of Art University, which shows by him signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers," Director of Athletics Colin Preston said. "We cannot be more excited for Stefen and we are looking forward to watching him compete at the next level."
Henderson will join a Los Angeles organization that selected ART U Baseball alumni Zach Babitt in the 10th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Babitt is currently with the Ogden Raptors, the Dodgers' Utah-based minor league affiliate in the Pioneer League.
"It's cool to have a former teammate in the same organization," Henderson said. "If the chance comes along for [Zach and me] to play for the same team at some point, that would be really great."
"It means a lot to the program to have two professional alumni," Coach Guinn said. "If you work hard and improve here, you can play at the next level. Just look at how Zach and Stef approached the game; they worked extremely hard and it paid off. We know others will see their success and that will help us get better as a team."
Henderson begins his professional career with the Los Angeles Dodgers' rookie ball affiliate who currently lead the Arizona League - Central standings.
