SAN FRANCISCO – Academy of Art University Athletics has announced Stefen Henderson as its new assistant coach for baseball, joining head coach Dan McDermott. A 2013 ART U graduate, four-year contributor to the baseball team, and 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers signee, Henderson returns after building his coaching background with experience at various North Bay baseball programs.

"We are very excited to have Stefen join our coaching staff at Academy of Art," said McDermott. "He understands the unique demands of performing as a student-athlete here. He has an immense amount of pride in our University and our athletic product. Stefan has worked very hard to perfect his coaching skills and we are fortunate to have him. Our players will benefit greatly as he mentors them towards their goals."

Still the Academy of Art career leader in games played (189), home runs (11), runs batted in (66), doubles (39), walks (106), and stolen base percentage (.843), Henderson's name can be found all throughout the program's record book. He ranks second in career hits (121), runs scored (83), triples (10), total bases (213), and stolen bases (43) in addition to leading the program in walks for a single season after drawing 34 as a senior in 2013. Henderson led the team in home runs in each of his four years and went on to sign a minor league contract to play for the Dodgers in 2013 after earning his bachelor's degree in Music Production & Sound Design from Academy of Art that same year.

"I'm extremely excited to be joining the staff of my alma mater for multiple reasons," said Henderson. "The opportunity the Academy of Art provided me when I was 17 years old is invaluable. The experiences and relationships I obtained during my time here as a student-athlete were a pivotal piece to the foundation of my character and the person I am today. Now as a coach and member of the staff, I intend to and am excited to play a part in the program's positive influence in student-athletes' lives just like the program did for me. I plan to use my experience to help guide our players on the field and off the field as well as any prospective student-athletes who may be interested in becoming an Urban Knight."

Henderson spent two years at the rookie level of minor league baseball, starting off with the Arizona League Dodgers before moving to the Ogden Raptors of the Pioneer League. In 2015, he joined the Canadian-American Association's Rockland Boulders then shifted into a varsity assistant coach role at Sir Francis Drake High school. 

From 2017-2018 Henderson ran his own travel team, "The California Wave," before taking over director of operations and head coaching duties with the Marin-based California Warriors who provide elite training and showcases for student-athletes at top summer baseball tournaments for college coaches and pro scouts. He simultaneously held that role while also serving as an assistant coach at the College of Marin. The Mariners collectively went 101-64 with Henderson on staff, making the postseason in each of his first two seasons.