University of South Dakota Athletics

Vern Henderson, a native of Tampa, FL, was a physical dominant offensive lineman for South Dakota in the early to mid 1970s when USD reached the top of the North Central Conference. Henderson played on two NCC championship football teams in 1972 and 1973. Henderson who was selected first-team all-NCC in 1973, was named the NCC's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman that season. He was Later invited to play in the American Bowl. At 6-1, 235 pounds, Henderson was the driving force in a line that enabled the Coyotes to Average 380 yards in total offense and 31 points per game over the two-year period (1972-73). He spent three years in the U.S. Army including one year in Vietnam.