Gleason’s Hudson still in ’Dog house as Union assistant

Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.
First a star on the prep level at Gleason and then in college at Union University, Kayla Hudson will remain “in the kennel” after being named a full-time assistant head coach at Union.
Hudson, who led Gleason to a state championship and UU to a pair of NAIA national titles, was elevated from graduate assistant on Mark Campbell’s staff — a position she held last season with the tradition-rich program.
Union won five NAIA national championships in all, but will transition to Division II this coming season before joining the Gulf South Conference.
“I am so honored and excited about the opportunity to remain a part of the Union family as the assistant women’s basketball coach,” Hudson said. “The privilege of working at an institution with people on a mission together for Christ through very diverse avenues is such a blessing to me.
“The blend of academics, athletics, service and mission make Union the perfect place for me. I am so eager to utilize my love for basketball as a platform for His glory.”
Dr. Jerry Tidwell, senior vice president for University Relations at Union said of Hudson, “Not every great player translates into a great coach, but Kayla Hudson excelled as a Lady Bulldog and will be a perfect fit for coach Campbell’s program here at Union. Kayla’s faith and value system, combined with her winning spirit, will have a positive impact on young ladies for years to come.”
A five-year letter-winner at Gleason who led the Lady Bulldogs to the 2007 Class 1A state championship, where she was the tourney MVP, Hudson won the prestigious Miss Basketball Award her senior season after being nominated as a junior. She scored more than 2,100 points during her illustrious high school career and is the all-time leading scorer in GHS history.
After receiving interest from Vanderbilt, Furman, Bethel and Austin Peay, Hudson elected to sign with Union, where she left an equally-impressive legacy.
She helped the Lady Bulldogs to back-to-back NAIA national championships and was just the second player in the distinguished history of the program to be named to the NAIA All-American (first, second or third team) in all four of her college seasons. Charlotte Hart (1985-88) was the other.
Hudson averaged 16.3 points and 4.2 assists per game as a senior. She led the team with 121 made three pointers, shooting .438 percent from long range. She was just one 3-pointer shy of tying the school record for made 3-pointers in a season as a senior.
She was an named to the TranSouth All-Conference team all four years and was selected the TranSouth Freshman of the Year and to the all-freshman team during her first year a the Jackson school.
Hudson completed her collegiate eligibility as the program’s all-time career assists leader with 784 and scored 1,776 career points at Union.
Union head coach Mark Campbell, who’ll enter his 14th season at the school this fall and was the fastest women’s coach on any collegiate level to win 400 games, is thrilled that Hudson will join his staff.
 “I am so excited about Kayla Hudson being my assistant coach,” said the UU skipper, who currently sports an impressive 434-51 record — with that .895 winning percentage the best in the nation among women’s coaches with at least five years of experience. “She has demonstrated the ability to understand the game at a level that very few have been able to. She was a coach on the floor during her playing career and will bring those same attributes to the coaching side.
“I believe that she will have a positive influence on the program because of her work ethic, her love for the game of basketball and most importantly, the fact that she wants to be on mission with Union University. I am thankful.”
During Hudson’s playing career, she helped Union to four TranSouth Regular season titles, three TranSouth Tournament Titles and three total trips to the title game. Hudson started every game that Union played in her four seasons, leading the Lady Bulldogs to an astonishing 143-6 mark.
Hudson takes over for Katie Woodruff, who served as the assistant coach for eight seasons. Woodruff has taken a new role with the university as the associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator.
Campbell said of that move, “Over the last 13 years I have had the privilege of serving with some quality assistant coaches. Coach Woodruff will be missed and I am grateful to her for all the work she put in to this program.
“I know that she is still going to be impacting our athletes here at Union for years to come.” Published in The WCP 7.5.12

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