Written by Tyler Neville '17
Tyler Neville, a junior Communications/Journalism major at Saint Joseph's, is a regular contributor to the SJC Athletics website. Stay tuned to www.gomonks.com to read more of his special interest features!
For his fourth installment, Neville reached out to Theresa Hendrix '15, a former three-sport standout at Saint Joseph's College, who has picked up yet another sport: Football. Neville reached out to Hendrix and her Head Coach, Jeremiah Rohner, to learn more about the endeavor.
It's been said that life is all about finding a natural high. Those euphoric moments that make you feel alive and fill you with joy. For some, that feeling comes after a good workout or a long run. For Theresa Hendrix, it comes from athletics.
Growing up in Scarborough, Maine and going to Cheverus High School in Portland, Theresa fell victim to the classic case of a young adult desperate to "get out." "I wouldn't even apply to local schools," Theresa said. She eventually accepted a scholarship offer to play softball at Nyack College, just outside of New York City. However, she quickly realized that it wasn't the place for her.
"After a little time there, I started searching for schools that offered physical education programs and where I could also have the opportunity to participate in more than one sport or activity," Theresa explained. A multi-sport star in high school, Hendrix was ready to get back to being a year-round athlete. Her search led her to Saint Joseph's, only about forty minutes from her hometown.
It's safe to say she made the right choice. One of the finest athletes in the history of Saint Joseph's College Athletics, Hendrix earned a total of 38 academic and athletic accolades – including the 2015 GNAC Woman of the Year honor – while starring for the Monks on the field, hardwood and diamond. In the three sports combined, Hendrix played in a grand total of 314 games over 12 seasons, helping her teams post a collective 256-96 (.727) overall record with a 142-32 (.816) mark in conference play along with 12 conference tournament appearances. She competed in a conference championship contest for six different teams with four GNAC Championships and four NCAA Tournament berths.
After finishing her college athletics career in 2015, Theresa found herself with a big hole to fill in her life. "It felt odd not having anything to work towards. I felt as though I lost a lot of motivation," Theresa explained. In December of 2015, the KeepME Current Newspaper released a Maine Women's Magazine, which contained a blurb about Theresa's impressive career as a student-athlete. While flipping through the magazine, she stumbled upon a full length article on the newest Maine Women's Football team, the Maine Mayhem. She reached out to the coaching staff and, after watching a practice, signed on.
The Mayhem are in their first year of existence and will play in the 32-team Independent Women's Football League (IWFL) in 2016. The team has been running practices twice a week since January in order to prepare for an eight game season beginning in April and running through June. The team practices indoors in the Greater Portland area and will play their home games at both Memorial and Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, Maine. It's full pads, full tackle football, just like the NFL plays with only a few minor variations, such as a slightly smaller field and fifteen yards necessary for a first down.
A veteran of many sports, Theresa remains impressed by football and the team culture around it. "It's the most team sport I've ever played" she explains, "each player learns what she needs to do, and then comes together and executes their piece so that their teammates can be successful."
On the other side, the coaching staff was impressed by Hendrix as well. She's logged time cornerback, receiver, kick returner, and has even begun to learn the quarterback position. "Her work ethic and drive to succeed radiates from her and is a great example for the rest of the team" Head Coach Jeremiah Rohner says. He continued to say that Theresa is "making an immediate impact" on the field as a member of the Mayhem.
When she's not strapping on shoulder pads and scoring touchdowns, Theresa teaches Health at Westbrook High School. And as expected, she also coaches three JV teams at two different high schools; JV Softball and Basketball at Portland High School and JV Field Hockey at Westbrook High.
The Mayhem had their season opener on April 9th in New York against the Knockout and won handily by a score of 24-6. "After working so hard over the past few months it is extremely exciting to get to step out onto the field, with a great group of ladies, and show what we can do," Hendrix said. Last Saturday, the Mayhem suffered a lopsided defeat facing the Blitz in Montreal. "They were really good, and had so many tools," adds Hendrix. "They capitalized on every mistake we made."
The Mayhem look to get back on track this Saturday when they host the Connecticut Hawks in their home opener on April 23rd at Deering Memorial Stadium. The game begins at 7:00 PM and the tickets cost $10 for adults while children aged 12 and under can attend for free.
With her sporting career far from over, it's safe to say that Theresa's many fans from Saint Joseph's and the Greater Portland area will be watching closely as she continues to pursue her natural high through competitive athletics.
OTHER RELEASES FROM TYLER NEVILLE:
2/12/16 - Winding Soccer Career Leads Swarup to Saint Joseph's
3/1/16 - Coyne Ready to Play the 'Game of Life'
3/9/16 - SJC Women's Basketball: A Week to Remember