(Atlantic) On Wednesday night, the Atlantic School Board unanimously approved changing the name of the Trojan Relays to the Bruce Henderson Invitational. The board acted on a recommendation from committee members attending the September 8th board meeting.
Coach Henderson built the girl’s track program from the ground up when he started the program in 1974 and developed it into a state powerhouse with seven state track titles and 22 Hawkeye Ten Conference Meet Championships while at the helm.
Coach Henderson’s teams finished state runners-up three times, third place three times, fourth four times, as well as 18-regional titles and 203 invitational track meet titles.
Officials say the renaming the track meet in honor of Bruce Henderson not only recognizes his resume of achievements in girls track and field as one of the best in the state of Iowa but how he believed in all of his athletes and how they could contribute to the team and make themselves better.”
The Trojan Relays will now be called the Bruce Henderson Invitational at the newly renovated track facility starting this spring.
Atlantic High School Athletic Director Andy Mitchell will plan a ceremony for that evening, a plaque drawn up recognizing all of Coach Henderson’s accomplishments and medals created with Mr. Henderson’s face engraved on them. Mike Jay, longtime Drake Relays and State Track Announcer, will be on hand to announce the track meet.
