Lauren Henkel, one of the most accomplished athletes in New York University history, is entering her fourth season as an assistant coach with the Violets’ women’s track and field program, as well as her second with the men’s program. She also served as an assistant with the women’s program from 2004-06.
Henkel’s main responsibilities with both programs will be to work with NYU’s promising collection of sprinters and jumpers.
During her first tenure with the Violets, Henkel helped produce two UAA Champions in her first year, as senior Lauren Pringle won the indoor 55-meter hurdles, as well as the indoor and outdoor high jumps, while senior Crystal Winter won the outdoor 400-meter hurdles. Henkel also helped guide the Violets to a fourth-place finish at the UAA Outdoor Championships.
In 2005-06, she was instrumental in helping Winter capture the New York State 100-meter championship, as well as the UAA outdoor 400-meter hurdles title.
A four-year member of the Violets’ women’s track & field team, Henkel earned NCAA All-America honors in the high jump three times. She established 11 NYU individual and relay records, and was a nine-time University Athletic Association (UAA) champion in a variety of events.
A 2004 graduate of NYU’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development with a degree in studio art, Henkel also earned many academic awards. During her distinguished career, she earned the NYU President’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, the Varsity Club Freshman Athlete of the Year Award, the Dan Quilty/National Invitational Tournament Scholar-Athlete Award, the New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Award, and the NYU Alumni Association Student-Athlete of the Year Award. She also received the Ida Bodman Service Award for her work in the community.
Henkel’s versatility and excellence as an athlete extended beyond the track, as she also earned All-American and All-UAA honors as a member of the Violets’ women’s soccer team. She helped NYU capture its first-ever Association Championship and NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship appearance in 2002, as the team reached the Sweet 16.
“Lauren was quite possibly NYU’s greatest female track & field athlete ever,” said men’s head coach Nick McDonough. “Her success as an athlete and her previous coaching experience with the NYU women’s team will definitely be a big help in working with both of our programs now.”
Also serving as the assistant equipment room manager at NYU’s Palladium Athletic Facility, Henkel has had her paintings and artwork occasionally appear in local galleries in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the greater New York City area.
Henkel, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in sports business from NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, resides in Sunnyside, NY, and is a native of Rockville Centre, NY.
