Livingstone College basketball player dies in car crash

SALISBURY, N.C. — A student-athlete on the Livingstone College men’s basketball team died Monday in a car crash, the school posted on its Facebook page.

Eric Henderson, 21, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was a sophomore at the college and was an honor’s student.

“He wanted to be at Livingstone College. He took pride in being a Blue Bear,” said James Stinson, Livingstone men’s basketball head coach. “He was willing to sacrifice to make sure everyone else was OK. He was the ultimate student-athlete.”

Coach James Stinson said Wednesday that the 21-year-old student was a one-of-a-kind athlete and scholar.

Henderson was well-mannered and had a positive attitude, Stinson said.

“Credit to his family,” Stinson said. “Credit to the way that they raised him and the way that he received it.”

Family members said Henderson carved out time from his busy basketball schedule to see them briefly on the day after Christmas.

He stayed only a few hours before heading back to school.

Henderson’s car crossed the centerline on Highway 13 and struck a vehicle head-on, which was driven by an off-duty Cumberland County sheriff’s deputy. Henderson died from his injuries.

Stinson said he and the team are trying to navigate the rest of the season without Henderson.

“We’re thankful for the time,” Stinson said. “We want to celebrate him in such a manner that his family understands that they did a great job in raising this young man. And we want to honor him in such a way that he will always be remembered.”

Senior Brandon Murray, who is on the team, said although Henderson was younger, many players looked up to him.

“He was always just a good spirit, positive -- always has energy -- was contagious,” Murray said. “You could never be around him without being in a good mood. You couldn’t be in a bad mood.”

Murray said he watched Henderson push through an injury for a spot on the court.

Henderson’s determination and positive energy set a standard for his teammates and friends to follow for the rest of the season.

“I’m going to use that to push my teammates,” Murray said. “We got to go for 100% because we know our teammate would’ve done the same. And he would want us to do the same. It just goes to show we got to work hard or as hard as we can because you just never know.”

Stinson said they have grief counselors available for all the players.

The team also plans to honor Henderson throughout the season with a jersey and patches for No. 10, Henderson’s number. There will be a seat on the bench where they will drape Henderson’s jersey at every game.

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