Hall of Fame
Highlights: Ranks third in career goals and fifth in career scoring in SRU men's soccer history, served 25 years in the U.S. Army, earned seven Army Commendation Medals and eight Good Conduct Medals.
Gerald "Shot" Hendershot, a native of Blairstown, New Jersey, was a four-year standout forward for The Rock soccer team from 1976-79, helping the program to a total record of 40-16-3 during that stretch. He still ranks third in program history in goal scoring with 49 goals and ranks fifth in career points with 112. He also owns the school record for single-game scoring with six goals in one game. Hendershot was a first team All-Western Pennsylvania selection, was a team captain and was named the Most Valuable Player on the squad as a senior. After his career as a player, he served as an assistant coach with the program in 1980 before graduating in 1981. He was inducted into the SRU Soccer Ring of Honor in 2012.
After graduating from The Rock, Hendershot joined the U.S. Army in 1983 and served as an Airborne Infantryman for 25 years. That stretch included multiple deployments and Hendershot retired from the Army with a lengthy list of awards and achievements. During his time in the Army, he served roles as a Team Leader, a Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Master Sergeant, First Sergeant and G3 Operations Sergeant Manager. He earned eight Good Conduct Medals, seven Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, two National Defense Medals, an Expert Infantryman Badge, a Master Parachutist Badge, a Jungle Expert Badge, an Air Assault Badge and many other awards and honors.
Hendershot retired from the Army in 2008 and now lives in Rolla, Missouri with his wife, Tammy. He enjoys beekeeping, hunting, fishing, gardening and spending time with Veterans at the local Veterans home.
