The Kansas Jayhawks are one of the most storied basketball programs in all of sports. Since 2004 the Jayhawks have won eight Big 12 championships, reached two Final Fours, and won the national championship in 2008. While their success has been well documented, few (including myself before reading an article on ESPN.com) know that the athletes at KU are being trained by the only female strength coach working with a Division I men’s basketball team, Andrea Hudy. Hudy, according to players and coaches alike, is a major reason for the Jayhawks continued success as well as a big reason that many KU basketball players have gone on to play the game professionally. While this story ends well it was a struggle for Hudy to get to where she is today. Bill Self, the KU men’s basketball coach, admits that he did not want to hire Hudy because he did not believe that a men’s team should have a female strength and conditioning coach. Who would blame him? No other school in the country has one. Self reportedly flew in four other candidates before finally going with Hudy. Since Hudy's arrival on campus the results have been phenomenal and Self credits her for much of the Jayhawks success. Hudy proves that male or female, what it really takes to become a champion in sport and in life are heart, desire, and skill.
Todd Greenbaum
KIN 577
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