Wendell Hudson facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 16, 1951 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| High school | A. H. Parker (Birmingham, Alabama) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Alabama (1969–1973) |
| NBA Draft | 1973 / Round: 2 / Pick: 30th overall |
| Selected by the Chicago Bulls | |
| Coaching career | 1974–2013 |
| Career history | |
| As coach: | |
| 1974–1979 | Alabama (assistant) |
| 1979–1982 | North Alabama (assistant) |
| 1982–1983 | Rice (assistant) |
| 1983–1985 | Ole Miss (assistant) |
| 1985–1986 | Baylor (assistant) |
| 1986–1999 | McLennan CC (women's HC) |
| 2001–2003 | McLennan CC (men's HC) |
| 2008–2013 | Alabama (women's HC) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
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Wendell Hudson (born April 16, 1951) is a famous American basketball player and coach. He is known for his time playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team. Later, he became a coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide women's basketball team. He also worked in the university's sports department.
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A Pioneer in College Sports
Wendell Hudson made history in 1969. He became the first African-American student to receive a sports scholarship at the University of Alabama. This was a very important step for the university. He signed to play basketball for coach C.M. Newton.
Playing for the Crimson Tide
Hudson played basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1969 to 1973. He was a talented player. In 1973, he was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year. This was a big honor for him.
A Retired Jersey
Wendell Hudson's impact on Alabama basketball was huge. On February 17, 2020, his number 20 jersey was officially retired. This means no other player on the men's team will wear that number. He is the first and only player to have his jersey number retired by the Alabama men's basketball program. This shows how much he meant to the team.
From Player to Coach
After his playing career, Wendell Hudson became a basketball coach. He worked as an assistant coach at several universities. These included Alabama, North Alabama, Rice, Ole Miss, and Baylor.
Coaching Women's Basketball
Hudson also coached women's basketball. He was the head coach for the McLennan Community College women's team for many years. Later, he returned to the University of Alabama. From 2008 to 2013, he was the head coach for the Alabama women's basketball team. He led the team for five seasons.
After Coaching
On April 22, 2013, Hudson stepped down from his coaching role. He then took on an administrative job in the athletic department. He served as the Associate Athletics Director for Alumni Relations. In this role, he helped connect former athletes with the university.
