Air Force, 1988
• 1986 Academic All-America® First Team
• 1987 Academic All-America® First Team
Chad Hennings was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Hall of Fame in 1999.
Chad Hennings played defensive lineman for the Air Force Academy Falcons and is the most celebrated football player in Academy history, where he started from 1983-87. After an outstanding senior season with 24 sacks, Hennings earned the Outland Trophy in 1987 recognizing him as the country’s most outstanding lineman.
Following his graduation Hennings served a five-year commitment to the Air Force, piloting an A-10 Thunderbolt. In support of Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq, Hennings flew 45 missions. The missions, which began in April 1991, provided relief and humanitarian aid to Kurdish refugees. During his service he received two aerial achievement medals, a humanitarian award and an outstanding unit award.
After his discharge, Hennings spent 9 years playing defensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys. In 2001, he retired with three Super Bowl rings and began co-hosting gigs on various radio and television shows about the Cowboys. Hennings then entered the business world as president of Hennings Management Corporation, a marketing and consulting company and a principal in TRW, a rock retaining wall business. A successful student, athlete, airman, and business man, Hennings tours the country giving motivational talks on various topics in private, corporate, civic, governmental and academic settings. He has spoken to several Congressional forums, national convocations and symposia about life at the Air Force Academy.
Hennings served as spokesperson for Today’s Military recruitment campaign, chair of Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) Service Academy Selection Board, and a trustee on the Air Force Falcon Foundation. “It Takes Commitment,” Hennings auto-biography, shares the secret of his successes through his inspirational story. Hennings remains a committed family man, dedicated to wife Tammy and children Chase and Brenna, often citing balance as one of the most important aspects of life.