Carter Henderson Takes Helm as Cal Poly's New Director of Athletics
Cal Poly has officially announced Carter Henderson as its new director of athletics, effective from October 13. This significant appointment comes from President Jeffrey D. Armstrong, emphasizing the university's commitment to strengthening its athletics program. Henderson, who has previously served as the deputy athletics director for external relations at Stanford University, possesses a wealth of experience in intercollegiate athletics across various prestigious institutions.
During his time at Stanford, he held several essential leadership roles, showcasing his capabilities in operations, communications, and fundraising. Before joining Stanford in 2021, Henderson spent a decade at the University of Washington, where he climbed the ranks within the athletics department. His career in athletics initiated at Jacksonville University, where he built a solid foundation in external operations and brand management. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida in 2004.
In response to his appointment, Henderson expressed his enthusiasm for spearheading Cal Poly's athletics program. He resonated with the university's motto of 'Learn by Doing,' which reflects a proactive approach to education and athletics. "Learning by doing means practicing, trying, failing, getting back up, improving, succeeding. That resonates with me, and I look forward to helping our Mustangs pursue even greater athletic and academic success," he stated.
Henderson will be succeeding Don Oberhelman, who retired after leading the department for over 14 years, leaving behind a legacy of academic and athletic achievements. Under Oberhelman’s leadership, Cal Poly Athletics flourished, marked by a 93 percent graduation rate among student-athletes and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 as of Spring 2025. The university's athletics teams also enjoyed competitive success, garnering nearly 50 conference championships and winning the Big West Commissioner’s Cup in the 2023-24 season after securing five conference titles in that year alone.
As the new director, Henderson is poised to drive the athletics department further into a successful future. His experience in various roles within collegiate sports will be pivotal in navigating the challenges of modern athletics while fostering the growth and success of Cal Poly's 19 NCAA teams, which primarily compete within the Big West Conference. The institution is dedicated to the development of over 500 student-athletes, ensuring they excel in both competitive and academic realms. With Henderson at the helm, the Cal Poly athletics community is eager to witness the next chapter in its rich history, as it strives toward excellence both on and off the field.
During his time at Stanford, he held several essential leadership roles, showcasing his capabilities in operations, communications, and fundraising. Before joining Stanford in 2021, Henderson spent a decade at the University of Washington, where he climbed the ranks within the athletics department. His career in athletics initiated at Jacksonville University, where he built a solid foundation in external operations and brand management. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida in 2004.
In response to his appointment, Henderson expressed his enthusiasm for spearheading Cal Poly's athletics program. He resonated with the university's motto of 'Learn by Doing,' which reflects a proactive approach to education and athletics. "Learning by doing means practicing, trying, failing, getting back up, improving, succeeding. That resonates with me, and I look forward to helping our Mustangs pursue even greater athletic and academic success," he stated.
Henderson will be succeeding Don Oberhelman, who retired after leading the department for over 14 years, leaving behind a legacy of academic and athletic achievements. Under Oberhelman’s leadership, Cal Poly Athletics flourished, marked by a 93 percent graduation rate among student-athletes and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 as of Spring 2025. The university's athletics teams also enjoyed competitive success, garnering nearly 50 conference championships and winning the Big West Commissioner’s Cup in the 2023-24 season after securing five conference titles in that year alone.
As the new director, Henderson is poised to drive the athletics department further into a successful future. His experience in various roles within collegiate sports will be pivotal in navigating the challenges of modern athletics while fostering the growth and success of Cal Poly's 19 NCAA teams, which primarily compete within the Big West Conference. The institution is dedicated to the development of over 500 student-athletes, ensuring they excel in both competitive and academic realms. With Henderson at the helm, the Cal Poly athletics community is eager to witness the next chapter in its rich history, as it strives toward excellence both on and off the field.
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