Heart of a Coach
Aug/Sept 2010

Q&A with Rhonda Thigpen Henderson State University Volleyball Coach

In 2010, Henderson State University’s Rhonda Thigpen became the first volleyball coach to be inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. Currently entering her 20th season as the Lady Reddies’ head coach, Thigpen also serves as the University’s Senior Woman Administrator and FCA Huddle Coach.

STV: Where did Henderson State get the nickname the “Reddies”?
RT: People ask us that all the time. It started years ago when they didn’t have a mascot and wore red warm-up suits for athletics. They couldn’t yell, “Go, Red Suits,” so they said, “Go, Reddies,” and it stuck. At one point they did try to bring in a real mascot, and it caused a big uproar.

STV: What else should we know about HSU athletics?
RT: All of our athletes here support each other. For instance, if you come to a volleyball game, you’ll see swimmers and softball players all dressed in outfits and painted in red. Every event has an amazing atmosphere.

STV: Do you have any spiritual lessons you like to share with your athletes?
RT: Recently, I woke up in the night and the phrase “wear your knees out” came to me. I took it as an opportunity to pray, so I got down on my knees and prayed. I realized later that God was using that moment to prepare me for a future situation. He did so through the message to wear my knees out in prayer, and I think that is a message college kids need to hear.

STV: How do you apply that to volleyball?
RT: Well, the opposite is true in volleyball. You protect your knees with kneepads because you need them so much. But, if you’re going to make it and not wear out as a player or coach, you have to wear your knees out in prayer. We protect our knees on the court, but off the court we wear them out in prayer to protect ourselves from the enemy.

STV: As the school’s FCA Huddle Coach, why do you feel FCA is important?
RT: FCA has helped me a lot through the years, but FCA really matters because of the kids’ souls. I may be busy, but I know the kids need this. Their souls are searching.

STV: Who inspires you?
RT: My parents. They have come to every game I’ve coached and have been a big part of my team. My father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January, and that has made me realize just how much we really have to put things in God’s hands.

STV: Wow. How special was it, then, that both of your parents were there for your Hall of Fame induction?
RT: It meant so much. I know God has kept His hand over my dad so that he could see the special events that have happened in my life. The Lord blessed me with wonderful parents, and I always thank my Heavenly Father for my earthly father and mother.