Wendell Hudson
Encyclopedia
Wendell Hudson is a retired American basketball
player and former Associate Athletics Director for Alumni Relations and the current eighth head women's basketball coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.
In 1969, Hudson signed for Alabama coach C.M. Newton and thus became the first African-American scholarship athlete in any sport at the University of Alabama
.
A veteran basketball coach with over 26 years of experience with both men and women's teams, including seven seasons in the SEC, Hudson has a proven track record of success, especially in the state of Alabama. Hudson began his coaching at Alabama under C. M. Newton
as an assistant coach from 1974 to 1979. On the sideline as an assistant at the Capstone, Hudson helped the Tide compile a 129–41 record that included three-straight SEC titles and a Sweet 16 appearance in 1976. The Tide was ranked in the nation's top-10 for 43 of 54 weeks during its three-year SEC title run.
The Alabama grad then moved on to be an assistant at North Alabama
where his teams recorded an overall record of 56-31, including two trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament
where the Lions went to the Final Four in the 1979–80 season.
Other coaching stops included Rice
(1982–83), Ole Miss (1983–85) and Baylor
(1985–86) before he turned his career to athletics administration at McLennan Community College
in Waco, Texas
in 1986. While at McLennan CC, Hudson also served as the women's basketball coach from 1986–1999. In the 2001 season, Hudson took over the head coaching duties for the men's squad. In the 12 seasons at McLennan, Hudson compiled a 239-127 overall record, including a 219-117 mark as the head women's coach for 11 seasons.
Hudson, an All-American basketball player and member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
, returned to the University of Alabama as Associate Athletics Director for Alumni Relations. Hired on September 18, 2003, Hudson left the job where he had served for six years as Athletics Director at McLennan CC to return to his Alma Mater. He had served as assistant AD for four years before being named McLennan's AD. The Birmingham native graduated from Alabama in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science
degree. Alabama's first African American scholarship athlete of any sport, he was a 2nd round draft pick by the NBA's Chicago Bulls
. He also played for the ABA
's Memphis Tams
.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and former Associate Athletics Director for Alumni Relations and the current eighth head women's basketball coach of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide.
In 1969, Hudson signed for Alabama coach C.M. Newton and thus became the first African-American scholarship athlete in any sport at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
.
A veteran basketball coach with over 26 years of experience with both men and women's teams, including seven seasons in the SEC, Hudson has a proven track record of success, especially in the state of Alabama. Hudson began his coaching at Alabama under C. M. Newton
C. M. Newton
Charles Martin "C. M." Newton is a retired American basketball player, coach and administrator. He was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a Contributor on October 13, 2000....
as an assistant coach from 1974 to 1979. On the sideline as an assistant at the Capstone, Hudson helped the Tide compile a 129–41 record that included three-straight SEC titles and a Sweet 16 appearance in 1976. The Tide was ranked in the nation's top-10 for 43 of 54 weeks during its three-year SEC title run.
The Alabama grad then moved on to be an assistant at North Alabama
North Alabama Lions basketball
Since its beginning in 1932, the University of North Alabama’s men’s basketball program has posted one of the most successful records of any collegiate program in the United States....
where his teams recorded an overall record of 56-31, including two trips to the NCAA Division II Tournament
NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship
The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship is an annual championship tournament for colleges and universities that are members of NCAA Division II, a grouping of schools in the United States that are generally smaller than the higher-profile institutions of Division I...
where the Lions went to the Final Four in the 1979–80 season.
Other coaching stops included Rice
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
(1982–83), Ole Miss (1983–85) and Baylor
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
(1985–86) before he turned his career to athletics administration at McLennan Community College
McLennan Community College
McLennan Community College is a community college partially funded by the taxpayers of McLennan County, Texas. Located in Waco, Texas, it opened in 1965. MCC now serves about 9,000 students and has more than 700 employees. It is governed by a Board of Trustees elected from single-member...
in Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
in 1986. While at McLennan CC, Hudson also served as the women's basketball coach from 1986–1999. In the 2001 season, Hudson took over the head coaching duties for the men's squad. In the 12 seasons at McLennan, Hudson compiled a 239-127 overall record, including a 219-117 mark as the head women's coach for 11 seasons.
Hudson, an All-American basketball player and member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame is a state museum located in Birmingham, Alabama, dedicated to communicating the state’s athletic history...
, returned to the University of Alabama as Associate Athletics Director for Alumni Relations. Hired on September 18, 2003, Hudson left the job where he had served for six years as Athletics Director at McLennan CC to return to his Alma Mater. He had served as assistant AD for four years before being named McLennan's AD. The Birmingham native graduated from Alabama in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree. Alabama's first African American scholarship athlete of any sport, he was a 2nd round draft pick by the NBA's Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
. He also played for the ABA
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
's Memphis Tams
Memphis Tams
The Memphis Tams were an American Basketball Association team during the 1972-1973 and 1973-1974 seasons. The team had previously been the New Orleans Buccaneers for three seasons before moving to Memphis, Tennessee where it became the Memphis Pros from 1970 through 1972. The team later became...
.