First Pitt Basketball Jersey Retiree Don Hennon Chose Saving Lives Over Scoring Points
8/19/2019 4:37:00 PM | General
In a little town northwest of Pittsburgh, Pa., one man was the high school principal, janitor and head basketball coach. L. Butler Hennon never seemed to leave Wampum High School property. And as he did his many tasks throughout the day, his son, Don, stuck around too.
"I started playing basketball at age 4," said Hennon. "I would be in the gym in the morning at 6:00 am for hours before school started, on top of practices after school with the team because my dad was often working at the school."
Hennon was the textbook gym rat. He refers to a book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell in which it states "to be world-class in any skill, you must practice for 10,000 hours". Every single day growing up, Hennon would go to that gym and practice. As he grew up, the practice certainly paid off.
Hennon went on to lead Wampum High School to a 31-0 record and state championship his senior year, passing one of the greatest players of all-time in scoring along the way.
"I was the leading scorer in the whole state of Pennsylvania," said Hennon. "I passed Wilt Chamberlain."
However, during that last year of high school, Hennon developed the passion for something bigger than basketball.
"I was a junior or senior in high school when I first found an interest in medicine," said Hennon. "I like to do things with my hands. I like people. But none of my family members were doctors at the time."
With an interest in both basketball and medicine, Hennon concluded his recruitment with around 80 scholarship offers. He narrowed it down to Duke, North Carolina State, Maryland and Pittsburgh. Ultimately, the choice was clear.
"When I visited Pitt, I knew I wanted to play here because my family and friends could come watch games," said Hennon. "But they also have a great medical school. For me it worked out and couldn't have been better."
In an era without the three-point line, shot clock or bonus foul shots, Hennon found a way to dominate on the offensive end. At Pitt, he led the Panthers to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 1956 and 1957. After that, Hennon was named a Consensus All-American in 1958 and Consensus Second Team All-American in 1959. In a version of basketball that would be unrecognizable today, he set the school record in points in a single game (45) against Duke in 1957, a record that is still held by Hennon to this day.
"I shot a lot of what would be now a three-point shot, but I also had a lot of driving shots," said Hennon. "I was pretty quick and I dribbled well. You have to be tough. Some games you play better than other games."
As a result of his collegiate success, Hennon received an offer to play for the United States in the 1960 Olympics. That's where his story takes an dramatic turn. The lingering passion for medicine stuck with Hennon throughout his college career. And when it came time to choose between playing for his country or medical school, the decision was surprisingly easy.
"I approached the people at the medical school and they said if you go then we can't guarantee you'll have a position in the school when you come back," said Hennon. "So I went straight into medical school. I knew I wanted to be a doctor. Who knows if I would've even made the NBA."
A decision like Hennon's would be unthinkable today. But it was a different time. Hennon hasn't ever regretted his decision.
"Some people may look at it differently," said Hennon. "Scoring points is great but saving lives is greater. I can tell you that for a fact. There's nothing like a person coming to you to care for them and they're going to die and you do something for them and they don't die. You can't top that. I didn't know that at the time. But I still made the decision to go into medicine."
In 1968, Hennon officially became a surgeon. That same year, his jersey number (10) was retired by the University of Pittsburgh, making Hennon the first to ever have his jersey retired in the basketball programs' history.
"That was one of the things that I cherish the most at the university," said Hennon.
Now Hennon will take the next step, claiming his spot in the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame. Behind him he can reflect on two careers. One as an incredible basketball player and another as a saver of lives. Between both, there's been a determination to be the best. His dedication and pursuit of perfection have led him to where he is today.
"Pitt is the best you can have in terms of what I did," said Hennon. "This is a big honor. I think it's all in what your goal is and I've always had a goal. If you don't try to be the best then you're not going to have the motivation to get to the top. Nothing is given to you."
2019 PITT HALL OF FAME
The 2019 Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Class was unveiled June 13, 2019 by Pitt's Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. The 12-member group is composed of All-Pros, All-Americans and legendary all-time greats.
The 2019 class will receive induction at the Pitt Hall of Fame Dinner on Friday, Sept. 20, at the Petersen Events Center. On Saturday, Sept. 21, the inductees will be introduced at Heinz Field when the Panthers host UCF. For Hall of Fame Dinner ticket information, contact Executive Director for Signature Events and Donor Experience Allison Rubin by phone (412-648-0345) or email (arubin@athletics.pitt.edu).
For more information of the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame, visit pittsburghpanthers.com/halloffame.
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"I started playing basketball at age 4," said Hennon. "I would be in the gym in the morning at 6:00 am for hours before school started, on top of practices after school with the team because my dad was often working at the school."
Hennon was the textbook gym rat. He refers to a book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell in which it states "to be world-class in any skill, you must practice for 10,000 hours". Every single day growing up, Hennon would go to that gym and practice. As he grew up, the practice certainly paid off.
Hennon went on to lead Wampum High School to a 31-0 record and state championship his senior year, passing one of the greatest players of all-time in scoring along the way.
"I was the leading scorer in the whole state of Pennsylvania," said Hennon. "I passed Wilt Chamberlain."
However, during that last year of high school, Hennon developed the passion for something bigger than basketball.
"I was a junior or senior in high school when I first found an interest in medicine," said Hennon. "I like to do things with my hands. I like people. But none of my family members were doctors at the time."
With an interest in both basketball and medicine, Hennon concluded his recruitment with around 80 scholarship offers. He narrowed it down to Duke, North Carolina State, Maryland and Pittsburgh. Ultimately, the choice was clear.
"When I visited Pitt, I knew I wanted to play here because my family and friends could come watch games," said Hennon. "But they also have a great medical school. For me it worked out and couldn't have been better."
In an era without the three-point line, shot clock or bonus foul shots, Hennon found a way to dominate on the offensive end. At Pitt, he led the Panthers to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 1956 and 1957. After that, Hennon was named a Consensus All-American in 1958 and Consensus Second Team All-American in 1959. In a version of basketball that would be unrecognizable today, he set the school record in points in a single game (45) against Duke in 1957, a record that is still held by Hennon to this day.
"I shot a lot of what would be now a three-point shot, but I also had a lot of driving shots," said Hennon. "I was pretty quick and I dribbled well. You have to be tough. Some games you play better than other games."
As a result of his collegiate success, Hennon received an offer to play for the United States in the 1960 Olympics. That's where his story takes an dramatic turn. The lingering passion for medicine stuck with Hennon throughout his college career. And when it came time to choose between playing for his country or medical school, the decision was surprisingly easy.
"I approached the people at the medical school and they said if you go then we can't guarantee you'll have a position in the school when you come back," said Hennon. "So I went straight into medical school. I knew I wanted to be a doctor. Who knows if I would've even made the NBA."
A decision like Hennon's would be unthinkable today. But it was a different time. Hennon hasn't ever regretted his decision.
"Some people may look at it differently," said Hennon. "Scoring points is great but saving lives is greater. I can tell you that for a fact. There's nothing like a person coming to you to care for them and they're going to die and you do something for them and they don't die. You can't top that. I didn't know that at the time. But I still made the decision to go into medicine."
In 1968, Hennon officially became a surgeon. That same year, his jersey number (10) was retired by the University of Pittsburgh, making Hennon the first to ever have his jersey retired in the basketball programs' history.
"That was one of the things that I cherish the most at the university," said Hennon.
Now Hennon will take the next step, claiming his spot in the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame. Behind him he can reflect on two careers. One as an incredible basketball player and another as a saver of lives. Between both, there's been a determination to be the best. His dedication and pursuit of perfection have led him to where he is today.
"Pitt is the best you can have in terms of what I did," said Hennon. "This is a big honor. I think it's all in what your goal is and I've always had a goal. If you don't try to be the best then you're not going to have the motivation to get to the top. Nothing is given to you."
2019 PITT HALL OF FAME
The 2019 Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Class was unveiled June 13, 2019 by Pitt's Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. The 12-member group is composed of All-Pros, All-Americans and legendary all-time greats.
The 2019 class will receive induction at the Pitt Hall of Fame Dinner on Friday, Sept. 20, at the Petersen Events Center. On Saturday, Sept. 21, the inductees will be introduced at Heinz Field when the Panthers host UCF. For Hall of Fame Dinner ticket information, contact Executive Director for Signature Events and Donor Experience Allison Rubin by phone (412-648-0345) or email (arubin@athletics.pitt.edu).
For more information of the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame, visit pittsburghpanthers.com/halloffame.
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