OGDENSBURG -- Former Ogdensburg Free Academy basketball coach, Mark Henry, will be inducted as a 2025 Basketball Coaches Association of New York (BCANY) Hall of Fame honoree.

Coach Henry will be honored at the BCANY Hall of Fame Induction Brunch on Sunday, Apr. 13, 2025 at the Cool Insurers Arena – previously known as the Glens Falls Civic Center. 

Working with many outstanding student-athletes at OFA as the head varsity basketball coach for both the boys and girls program, his guidance and leadership led to many incredible teams and numerous Section X Championships as well as several excellent showings in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Championships.

“Coach Henry, the most deserving candidate for induction into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, was my high school basketball coach. Under his guidance, he helped build a positive culture around OFA girls basketball,” former student-athlete Shannon Lafave shared. “One of my most cherished memories is winning three consecutive class B championships. As a student-athlete, Coach Henry challenged me both on and off the court. His remarkable ability to motivate his players and establish a lifelong bond with them is truly exceptional. Our relationship has evolved from a player-coach dynamic to a mentorship and friendship. As a current coach, I frequently seek his guidance and advice for myself and my team. On special occasions, he visits our practices to assist with drills.”

“I’m truly honored to be joining the incredible coaches in the BCANY Hall of Fame. It’s humbling to be recognized alongside so many outstanding individuals,” honoree Mark Henry said.

“For 17 years, I had the privilege of coaching both boys and girls basketball at OFA, and I was lucky to work with some incredible student-athletes who gave everything they had—on and off the court. This recognition is just as much a reflection of their hard work and dedication as it is mine.

I’m grateful to the administration for their constant support, to the amazing assistant coaches who played such a huge role in our success, and to Steve LaRose for his dedication to the AAU program during my time coaching.

To the OFA community—your passion and support are second to none. Seeing a sea of royal blue, not just at home games but filling Maxcy Hall, the Glens Falls Civic Center, and everywhere in between, is something I’ll never forget. You made every moment even more special.

Thank you all for being part of this journey!”

“Everyone at OFA is thrilled to see Mark bestowed with this well deserved honor,” a press release from the district said.

Mark follows in the footsteps of another great OFA coach, Bill Merna, who was inducted into the BCANY New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.