Get to Know Katherine Henry: LOVB’s Head of Pro Health and Wellness
Katherine Henry officially joined League One just a few months ago in January. She's bringing her expertise to us at LOVB after an already extensive career in women's sports. Ranging from high school to professional, international to domestic; Katherine Henry has seen it all. She’s a certified athletic trainer with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and a master’s degree in exercise science. She is also a certified strength and conditioning coach, a certified nutritionist, and has worked with team USA Women’s Rugby 15s at the WXV tournament and worked as a director of medical services for Premier Rugby 7.
When Henry was initially offered a place on LOVB’s advisory staff, it was the opportunity to make an impact in women’s professional sports that enticed Henry the most. “Building something from the ground up and changing the game in women’s sports attracted me to LOVB.” When VP of Sport at LOVB, Tom Hogan, offered her a full-time position she couldn’t pass it up.
Katherine Henry is on the cutting edge of what it means to be a leader in women’s sports. We sat down with Henry to learn more about her professional experiences and her passion for elevating women’s athletics. We celebrate her for being a part of our mission to support our athletes and become the next major league in the world.
Do you have a favorite memory so far working as a health and wellness specialist?
There was one moment when I saved a young man’s life a number of years ago at a sporting event. I’m not sure if it was me or the universe, but we got lucky. The athletic director created a moment where the young man I saved could come and give me flowers and say thank you during a playoff game. That kid is a grown up now, but that was a pretty cool and special moment.
When was your introduction to volleyball?
I covered Division I volleyball at a small university and played volleyball in high school. Worked throughout her career through the high school and collegiate level. After I spent some time on the advisory council for LOVB, I was offered a position full time. I figured, ‘let’s take a leap and let's try it’. And that’s how I got here.
As the Head of Pro Health & Wellness, how do you hope to make an immediate impact for the LOVB athletes?
We want to be the next big pro league. That means we need to have the best health and wellness program in all of professional sports. We need a strong medical and strength and conditioning program. We can learn from other strong leagues in the US and all the resources these other athletes are given. We need to give our athletes the whole package while continually working toward that bigger vision.
You’ll be working with some of the world's top volleyball athletes with years of experience. Do you feel that there’s still more for them to learn within the scope of health and wellness? How will you help them do that?
There’s always more to learn. Science evolves and changes over the course of one’s career so we have to be adaptive from the beginning. The thing that will really set us apart is our mental health programs. We will work to protect our athletes so they can just focus on volleyball and feel safe and valued along the way.
Can you describe the culture at LOVB and how you knew this was the right place for you?
What set things apart for me was that every single person I connected with here was completely bought in and enthusiastic about the mission. All the pieces that come into play are totally separate from volleyball. Providing opportunities at the pro and the club level so that these kids can see it and believe in it.
How do you hope to impact our girls at the club level?
I hope that by setting high standards in the health and wellness realm we can show the club athletes the skills and tools they can use to take care of their bodies. We can help them learn about the vital role rest and recovery plays in their performance in both the short term and long term. I also hope to be able to provide the club coaches with some tools and knowledge to bring down injury rates, increase performance using fewer reps, and improve recovery.
In all your travels around the world, what’s your favorite place you’ve visited?
My favorite place is home. I have spent so much of my adult life away from home, it’s my favorite place to be. But traveling, South Africa was my absolute favorite. It’s such a gorgeous country. I got to see the penguins in the wild and go on Safari. Rhinos, Giraffes, Lions and oh my! It was truly incredible and a life changing experience.
With the first serve less than six months away, what do you hope for our fans to know as they watch this league come to life?
We’re bringing this home and these kids can see it and be it. We’re trying to do this the right way and we are really trying to set the tone. With so many pros and cons to the sports business, we are trying to cut through the noise and make something really special.
