Basketball Figure. He was among the earliest of African Americans to break through the racial barrier as a referee in the National Basketball Association. While attending Central State University (Ohio) on a baseball scholarship, Hudson initiated his career as an official first at the high school and later at the collegiate ranks. It was Boston Celtics legends Red Auerbach and Bill Russell who noticed Hudson while watching a college basketball game. Impressed by his style, they referred him to the NBA league office, and in 1968 he was refereeing NBA games and making history as one of the first African Americans to officiate in the league. He held that capacity until 1972 and moved onto various positions with the Coca-Cola corporation and served as an official observer with the NBA. In addition, he served as a motivational speaker in the Atlanta area. Hudson was acknowledged by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport as the recipient of The Mannie Jackson Basketball Human Spirit Award in 2009.
Basketball Figure. He was among the earliest of African Americans to break through the racial barrier as a referee in the National Basketball Association. While attending Central State University (Ohio) on a baseball scholarship, Hudson initiated his career as an official first at the high school and later at the collegiate ranks. It was Boston Celtics legends Red Auerbach and Bill Russell who noticed Hudson while watching a college basketball game. Impressed by his style, they referred him to the NBA league office, and in 1968 he was refereeing NBA games and making history as one of the first African Americans to officiate in the league. He held that capacity until 1972 and moved onto various positions with the Coca-Cola corporation and served as an official observer with the NBA. In addition, he served as a motivational speaker in the Atlanta area. Hudson was acknowledged by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport as the recipient of The Mannie Jackson Basketball Human Spirit Award in 2009.
Bio by: C.S.
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