Houghton University Athletics

Lor (Sheetz) Herson’s love of sports started at an early age, thanks to a father who recognized that quality time with his daughter and teaching life lessons through athletics could go hand in hand. As her skills grew, she went on to a stellar career at her high school in New Jersey, earning MVP and All Star honors in field hockey, basketball and softball. She was also able to beat her dad in the occasional 1-on-1 basketball game.
 
A meeting with Coach George Wells and a later dinner with me convinced Herson that Houghton was where she needed to be. “Our conversation over dinner made me excited to be part of the Houghton program,” she recalls.
 
A former high school rival, Janet Kirschner, came to Houghton to play field hockey and basketball a year earlier, so she had heard good things about the school and the athletics program. Herson and Kirschner went from competitors to friends as three-year teammates as Highlanders.
 
Herson became a four-year standout in both women's basketball and field hockey during her time as a Highlander. On the hardwood, Herson scored 1,007 points during her career. She led the team in scoring at 13.9 points per game, was an all-district selection and earned NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors following her senior campaign.
 
In field hockey, Herson led the team in goals during each of her four seasons, a feat accomplished by only one other player in program history… Hall of Honor Class of 2003 inductee Dr. Ndunge Kiiti. By the time she finished her career, she had broken the program all-time goals record with 44 and currently sits in second place in that category.
 
The friendships formed with teammates and wonderful memories of time spent together are what Herson loves about athletics and her Houghton experience. In addition, she found in sport a healthy way to channel her drive and intensity.
 
Some of those memories, Herson recalls include a van breaking down – and being pushed by the other van -- on the Florida Christmas trip and the challenge of overlapping field hockey and basketball seasons. “I sure slept well those weeks,” she says. She also counts the many opportunities to share Christ with those who asked about the “Gospel Beads” she and her teammates wore on their shoelaces.
 
“Lori was a natural leader and a talented player with an amazing work ethic. She epitomized what Houghton Athletics stands for,” said her Houghton basketball coach H. Skip Lord. “She lives her faith and continues to model Christ in all she does.  She loved to have fun. Having Lori around helped everyone work harder, strive higher and enjoy life more. Lori was raised in a wonderful Christian home and she brought what she learned there to our team. We weren’t just a Team, we were a family and Lori was a big part of the reason why.”
 
Away from her organized team activities, Herson found time to get beaten by Joyce Chamberlain several times on the racquetball court. “Definitely a humbling experience,” she says. In addition to the influence of her coaches, Herson cites Dr. Darlene Bressler and Paula Maxwell as key influencers in her academic pursuits.
 
Her passion for sport led Herson to choose a major in physical education and she parlayed that into a career as a physical education teacher, high school athletic director and coach. When Herson completed her playing career, she served one season as head coach of the Highlander field hockey program and was then head coach at Philadelphia College of Bible for three seasons.

She served as a teacher, coach and athletic director at Delaware County Christian School for 15 years.

Today she and her husband Mark live in East Fallowfield, Pennsylvania with their daughter Elle.
 
Herson’s role as a wife and mom have been especially fulfilling in this season of her life. She enjoys being a “theatre mom” for her daughter and supporting her interest and ability in stage and theatre. She has also begun using her gifts in organization and leadership as director of children's ministries at Goshen Baptist Church in West Chester, Pa.
 
She also currently is director of the Classical Conversations Homeschool Group, working with 34 families and about 80 kids enrolled in the program.