Family Affair: Senior Tim Henige plays on club roller hockey team with dad as coach
Most athletes have more than one reason to push themselves harder to achieve greatness in a sport.
Tim Henige is one of the lucky few that has a reason to push himself harder — his father. From his childhood to being a college athlete, Henige has gotten to experience playing roller hockey for his father, Robert, who is now the coach of CMU’s club roller hockey team.
Last year, in the middle of the season, the club roller hockey team got word that Henige’s father would be their new coach. The team went on to have a good season finishing 11-3-1.
The team also had good chemistry last year. A lot of the teammates already knew each other because they had either played with or against each other prior to joining the team.
Although the team chemistry was already good, the midseason addition of Robert made it even stronger. When conflicts arose, it was comforting for the players to know that they were not going to get yelled at by their coach, but instead they were given the opportunity to show leadership and solve the issue themselves.
“When there are contrasts between players and personalities, it helps to resolve the clash knowing that coach won’t scream at you,” Henige said. “He understands that he doesn’t always have to step in.”
For Henige, having his father as a coach was no different than having someone he didn’t have any relationship to as a coach.
“When my dad is coaching, he’s my coach, not my dad. During games and practice, I look at him as a guy I respect who also respects me,” said Henige.
Although for most players, having a parent as a coach gives them that extra push to try harder and perform better.
Henige also feels that being coached by his father for so many years gives him a small advantage during games and practice. He is able to go into the coach’s head and know what he’s thinking.
“I’ve been coached by my father for many years, so I’m pretty familiar with his styles and tendencies,” said Henige.
But don’t think this means Henige’s father is biased towards him. All teammates are treated the same.
Although last season ended abruptly, with CMU losing in its first round playoff tournament game against Michigan State and Ohio State, the team is anxious to get this season under way. Six players return from last season.
The Chippewas have two club roller hockey teams, an A team and a B team.
But Henige isn’t the only one whose father coaches him — club president Chris Shosey’s father also serves as a coach on the club’s B team.
“I expect both teams to perform really well, and I expect both teams to receive invites to nationals,” Shosey said.
Henige said the team will be one of the best in the Midwest Collegiate Roller Hockey League and nation this season.
“Were hoping we can perform the way we think we can,” Shosey said.
