Eastland's biggest fan -- Mary Henson -- rolling out the red carpet

Mar. 14—CHAMPAIGN — Mary Henson is making sure her hometown Eastland Cougars are enjoying their stay during the IHSA boys' basketball state tournament.

On Thursday night, she treated players and coaches to dinner at The Ribeye in Champaign — a favorite stop for Mary and her late husband, Hall of Famer Lou Henson, the winningest coach in Illini history.

Mary was homecoming queen at Lanark High School (now Eastland) and still has many friends in town (population: 1,466).

She missed Thursday's semifinal win at State Farm Center because of a previously scheduled commitment — playing bridge — but plans to attend Saturday's championship game against Hope Academy.

She has invited Eastland to her Champaign home on Friday so they can tour the family's Illini room, filled with orange-and-blue memorabilia.

Eastland athletic director Scott Hartman said players were grateful for Mary's generosity and were looking forward to thanking her in person. Many on the coaching staff, he said, "grew up with the Flyin' Illini."

"The boys know it's a big deal and for the coaches, it's huge," Hartman said.

Note: Mary Henson will be a guest of News-Gazette sportswriters at Monday's WDWS radio program at the Esquire Lounge in dowtown Champaign. Swing by and say hi at 5 p.m.

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