From NYU Athletics

Lauren Henkel, a New York University Athletics Hall of Famer and long-time employee of the department, passed away on Saturday, July 29.

One of the most accomplished athletes in NYU history, Henkel was a 2004 graduate of the Steinhardt School of Education with a Bachelor of Science degree in studio art. She went on to earn a Master of Science in sports business from NYU in 2009.

Inducted into the NYU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, Lauren Henkel was a four-year member of the Violets' women's track & field team. She earned NCAA All-America honors in the high jump three times, established 11 NYU individual and relay records, and was a nine-time University Athletic Association (UAA) champion in a variety of events. Her versatility and excellence as an athlete extended beyond the track, as she also earned All-America and All-UAA honors as a member of the Violets' women's soccer team. 

Henkel's academic accomplishments were prestigious, as well. She received the NYU President's Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, the Varsity Club Freshman Athlete of the Year Award, the Dan Quilty/NIT Scholar-Athlete Award, the New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Award, the NYU Alumni Association Student-Athlete of the Year Award, and the Ida Bodman Service Award for her work in the community.    

After graduation, Henkel served in many capacities for NYU Athletics. She worked as an assistant coach with the women's track & field team from 2004-06 and the men's team from 2007-09. She then served as an assistant for both teams from 2010-12.

Since 2006, Henkel had worked as the Assistant Equipment Room Manager at NYU's Palladium Athletic Facility.
 
Still active on the track following her collegiate career, Henkel continued to run for the New York Athletic Club where she was a 2015 and 2017 USATF Indoor National Championship qualifier.

Henkel was a native of Rockville Centre, NY.