When basketball players enter the court their long, lean bodies demand respect. They tower in their lofty majesty. The spectators wonder what it would be like to be that tall.
Until a 5’6” guy enters the court. “What is he doing?” a whisper ripples through the crowd. “How can this guy play basketball?”
The game begins, and no one expects anything from this athlete who is an entire foot shorter than most of the other players. No one pays attention to him until suddenly, he shoots a three-pointer. Then another. The crowd is automatically tuned in, captivated by this little guy who’s all over the court. Is there anything he can’t do?
The audience begins to wonder: what is this little whirlwind’s name? That name is Dennis Henrich.
Henrich is a junior studying exercise physiology, and this semester he is tearing up RecSports basketball.
“I do have a disadvantage with height,” Henrich said. “I don’t let that affect me. I use the one thing I feel I do have an advantage with, and that’s speed.”
Henrich dominates RecSports football during the fall. “Football is my sport,” Henrich said. “If I died right now that’s where I hope I’d be: football heaven.”
But in the winter, Henrich turns to his second great love, basketball.
Henrich has been playing basketball with his brother since he was in elementary school.  “When it’s just me, I don’t play as well as I do when my brother’s on the court,” Henrich said.
 The brotherly love is evident in Henrich’s game.
“When he’s not playing, it’s almost a totally different sport,” Henrich said.
Henrich is the captain of the RecSports team Vear Vundervul, which is “We’re Wonderful” pronounced with a German accent.
Being a captain is perfect for Henrich. “It gives me the opportunity to make sure everyone gets the same amount of playing time,” Henrich said.
Henrich’s strategy as a captain is to give all his players a level playing field.
“Other teams concentrate on what it takes to win, but … if everyone is contributing to the team, then I feel we have the greatest chance of winning and everybody’s happy,” Henrich said.
His methods seem to work.
“I think he does a good job bringing us together as a team,” said Tara Cottle, a junior studying social work and one of Henrich’s players. “He knows what he is doing and inspires us all to play better.”
His players never doubt their short captain’s capacity. “His enthusiasm and love for the sport shine through his eyes and skills on the court,” Cottle said.
But Henrich won’t take all the credit.
“The key is everyone works as a team and we put in the effort,” Henrich said.
His teammates love his coaching. “He’s pretty much perfect [as a captain],” Cottle said. See the Vear Vundervul team schedule under Beginning Coed Basketball at activities.byui.edu/sports.