2025 Family of the Year

     Topeka, Kan. – On Saturday, Dec. 13, Washburn University officially named the McHenry family as the 2025 “Family of the Year.” This designation honors the family’s dedication to, support of and enthusiasm for the university over the decades. It also acknowledges their embodiment of the Washburn University motto, Non Nobis Solum - Not for Ourselves Alone.

      For the McHenry family, this has meant a legacy of athletics and service to student athletes. Ron McHenry, ba ’85, led the Washburn Lady Blues to an NCAA Division II National Championship title in 2005, the first NCAA national championship for Washburn athletics in any sport. He won eight MIAA regular season titles and seven MIAA tournament championships during his tenure. He was also a four-time MIAA Coach of the Year and a two-time regional Coach of the Year.

        “The McHenry family embodies Washburn’s motto of ‘not for ourselves alone,” said Dr. JuliAnn Mazachek, president, Washburn. “Ron, Mischa and their family have built a legacy of service, support and dedication to Washburn and their fellow Ichabods. Since they were on campus as students, they have been working to make Washburn the best it can be.”

       Before he was a National Champion coach, McHenry was a student athlete at Washburn University. He and his wife Mischa, bs ’82, bba ’85, MBA ’91, met in high school in McLouth, Kan. and continued their relationship as undergraduates at Washburn. Ron was on the basketball team, however as a communication studies major, he didn’t aspire to coach. A fellow teammate saw these qualities in him and encouraged him to pursue his master’s degree and then coaching. In all, Ron spent nearly four decades at Washburn devoting time as a student-athlete, assistant men's basketball coach, head golf coach, department academic advisor and the head women's basketball coach. He started on the Washburn men's basketball team during the 1983-84 season and became a graduate assistant for his former team the following year. After a short stint as the boy's head coach at Perry High School, he returned to his alma mater as an assistant for the men's basketball team under head coach Bob Chipman for 11 seasons. Ron was named the fifth Washburn women’s head coach in program history on May 8, 2000, and quickly started building a powerhouse. After going 13-14 in his first year, he went a combined 175-23 over the next six seasons with six NCAA tournament appearances, eight combined MIAA titles between regular season and tournament, and a national championship.

        Mischa was a computer science major and built a long career at Kansas Blue Cross Blue Shield. She and Ron are active members of the Washburn University Alumni Association and financially support various athletic programs. They have three children, Dani (McHenry) Schmidt, b ed ’14, Sami (McHenry) Kearney, bba ’05, and Ronnie, BBA ’17, raising all three to be Ichabods. Dani and Sami both played basketball and volleyball at Washburn. Dani was the assistant volleyball coach between 2008-11 and is a class of  2016 member of the Washburn Athletic Hall of Fame and her husband, Jesse, bba ’06, was a member of the Washburn baseball team.

        Ronnie was a member of the Washburn golf team 2012-16 and was named the Ichabods' head golf coach during the summer of 2021. Entering his third full season, he has led the Ichabods to two NCAA Super Regional appearances and an NCAA National Championship appearance, finishing 18th in 2023 and 12th in 2021. Ronnie continued the Ichabod tradition by marrying former Ichabod volleyball player Natalie Bates, bba ‘17. Ron is a volunteer assistant for the golf team.

       “Our outstanding alumni who give their time and resources to support Washburn make this a great university,” said Marshall Meek, president, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation.  “Families who are dedicated to the university create an impact that enhances the student experience for decades.  The McHenry family is a great example and deserving of this honor.”

       Recognizing a family of the year is an annual tradition at Washburn University.

       “Washburn really is a special place because families often include several generations of Ichabods.  Students become invested in the university during their time here and stay connected after they graduate, supporting Washburn and making a difference,” said Dr. Teresa Clounch, acting vice president of student life, Washburn. “Our tradition of designating a Family of the Year recognizes not only the family’s legacy at the university, it also illustrates part of what makes Washburn unique.”

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