University of Montevallo Athletics

Robert Hendershot, a native of Auburn, New York, has built an illustrious baseball career as a player, coach, and mentor. A graduate of the University of Montevallo in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education, Hendershot also earned a master’s in counseling and guidance from Jacksonville State University in 1988. His baseball journey began as a standout collegiate player at Montevallo from 1980 to 1981, where he earned All-Conference honors and helped his team secure an Alabama Collegiate Conference Championship and a NAIA District 27 Championship. As a senior, he was named Team MVP and Most Valuable Pitcher, setting a school record with 23 pickoffs in a single season and amassing a school-record 43 over his career. The left-handed pitcher finished his UM career with a 12-5 record and added 49 strikeouts as a senior. His collegiate success was not only on the mound but also at the plate. Hendershot batted .339 in his career with 28 doubles, 79 runs-batted-in and 13 homers. Hendershot’s professional career began in 1982 when he joined the Utica Blue Sox of the New York Penn League. During his two seasons with the Blue Sox, he batted over .300 each year and helped lead the team to a league championship in 1982. That memorable season was immortalized in Roger Kahn’s book Good Enough to Dream, which Hendershot gifted to his mentor, Coach Bob Reisener, as a token of gratitude. The 1982 Blue Sox team was later inducted into the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame in 2023. In 1984, Hendershot continued his professional career in the Braves organization. Transitioning to coaching, Hendershot returned to Montevallo as a full-time assistant coach and physical education instructor from 1983 to 1986 under Hall of Fame Head Coach Bob Reisener and Hall of Fame Coach/Athletic Director Dr. Leon Davis. In 1987, he joined Jacksonville State University as an assistant coach under Rudy Abbott. During his tenure, the team made College World Series appearances in 1988 and 1989, achieving a No. 1 national ranking during the 1988 season. Hendershot currently resides in Clyde, New York, and serves as an assistant baseball coach at Cayuga Community College in his hometown of Auburn, New York, under Head Coach John Rizzo. His lifelong dedication to baseball as a player, coach, and educator has left an indelible mark on the sport and inspired countless athletes to achieve their potential. Hendershot and his wife Debbie, have three children, Ryan, Rachel  and Jessica.