DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Denisha L. Hendricks, Ed.D.
Dr. Denisha L. Hendricks, entering her third year as Director of Athletics at Kentucky State University, is responsible for the oversight of 13 intercollegiate athletic teams and brings with her a plethora of athletic and teaching experience.
Before coming to KSU, Hendricks served as Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Johnson C. Smith University where she oversaw internal operations of the athletic department, including compliance, academics, sports medicine, facilities and game operations. She also managed women’s sports and served as interim chair of the Department of Health and Human Performance and Assistant Professor of Physical Education/ Sport Management. Hendricks also served as the advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, member of the University Athletics committee, member of Student Judicial Board, and Vice President for the Faculty Senate. She also held the positions of Senior Woman Administrator, Dean of the Academic Village and Assistant Professor at Livingstone College.
Hendricks holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education/Athletic Training from the University of South Carolina. She earned Master's and Doctoral degrees in Higher Education Administration from Auburn University in 2001 and 2004, respectively. Her dissertation is entitled, The Relationship of Hope and Self-efficacy to Health Promoting Behaviors among Student-Athletes Attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. In 2007 Dr. Hendricks graduated from the National Collegiate Athletic Association Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Females. To her credit Dr. Hendricks has numerous, local, state, regional, and national presentations and several publications that include, refereed journal articles, quantitative instruments, and health promotion training manuals.
An active golden life member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Psi Gamma Zeta Chapter in Auburn, AL, Hendricks has served the organization on all levels and is currently the South Central Region Life Member Coordinator. She is a member of Order of Eastern Star, Phyllis Wheatley Chapter #656 Selma, AL. She holds memberships in numerous other professional organizations such as Phi Delta Kappa International, National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators, Phi Epsilon Kappa Fraternity, Inc. (Physical Education Honor Society), and National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
Dr. Hendricks has received numerous awards, including 2008 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. National Leadership Initiative Award, the 2007 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Senior Woman Administrator of the Year, 2006 & 2004 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. National Outstanding Star Service award. In 2009 Dr. Hendricks was named in the Montclair Who’s Who Among Professionals and Executives. Her impressive career has been recently highlighted by being appointed to a four-year term on NCAA Academic Requirements Committee (2010-2014) and serving on the NCAA Initial Eligibility Waivers Sub-Committee. Hendricks, a member of the Division II Athletics Directors Association, was awarded the 2010 Borden Perlman Insurance Professional Development Grant for the Association. She also serves on the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAC) Policies and Procedures Review Committee, as well as the SIAC Volleyball and Basketball Tournament Planning Committees.
In April, Hendricks was to serve as a mentor for The NCAA & Division II Athletic Directors Association Women & Minorities Mentoring Program - “Mentoring Tomorrow’s Leaders.” The purpose of the program is to match 10 outstanding Division II athletics administrators with 10 committed athletics directors in hopes of building a foundation that will encourage the participants to pursue a long-range career in athletics administration – ideally in Division II.
In August 2011 Hendricks was added to the Division II Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors as the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) representative. As a member of the D-II ADA Board of Directors, Hendricks will assist with supporting and engaging in the initiatives of the D-II ADA, including finding authors for the D-II ADA Corner, obtaining input from conference membership regarding D-II and NCAA issues and attending national conventions. Most recently she was chosen by Auburn as a member of its College of Education National Advisory Council. Hendricks will serve on the Council’s Development Committee, which is responsible for assisting with the creation and review of the development strategic work plan, identifying long-term funding opportunities and hosting donor events and receptions.
Dr. Hendricks is a native of Birmingham, AL. She is the daughter of Dr. Constance Smith Hendricks, Full Professor at Auburn University School of Nursing, and Mr. James L. Hendricks, Jr., retired Band Director with the Birmingham City Board of Education.
