Tom Henderson was an outstanding athlete at Vanderbilt University, earning nine varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball from 1929-1933. He was named captain of both the Commodore football and basketball teams, and was a standout quarterback for Vandy coach Dan McGugin.
His 1933 basketball team was the school’s inaugural season in the new SEC. For the first 7 games he was the conference’s leading scorer for guards. While a student there, he was awarded the university’s highest honor, the Bachelor of Ugliness. The early 20th century sportswriter Grantland Rice named him to his All-American football team; and in 1957, Sports Illustrated named him to its Silver Anniversary All-America Football Team.
His 1932 team was Vandy’s last one to go 6 games without a loss. In 1931, he was the Tennessee Valley Golf Association State Champion, and in 1945, he was the Nashville City Golf Champion.
After World War II, during the late 40’s and early 50’s, he volunteered to coach Woodmont School’s athletic teams, winning several city championships during that time. He qualified for two national sporting events in 1967 – the US Amateur and the National Masters YMCA US Handball Championship, winning the US Handball championship.
In 1968, Tom qualified for the Southern Handball Doubles Championship. In addition, he has also been the Belle Meade Country Club Golf Champion five times. He was the low sectional qualifier for the US Amateur played at Oakland Hills in 1949, losing to eventual PGA Champ Dow Finsterwald. Tom Henderson died in 2002.