Remembering NBA Pioneer Ken Hudson

As a sportscaster, WABE’s own Rose Scott worked alongside Hudson for many years.

She has this reporter’s notebook on his life and legacy.

Ken Hudson died last week at the age of 71.

Whenever he had an opportunity Ken Hudson would always say, “that you reach twice in life, you reach out for help and you reach back to help.”

That was August 10^th 2005.

Ken was a regular guest on my sports talk show and we were co-hosts for Inside The Hawks, a weekly NBA radio program.

Ken would talk about breaking the color-barrier in the NBA.

In 1968 he was one of the first African American officials in the league.

But what Ken Hudson mostly wanted to talk about was the importance of mentoring.

“Especially people of color who have reached a certain level of success because we have a lot of young people out there who all they need is a pat on the back or push to really live their dream,” Hudson said.

Ken would recruit the services of his sports and business connections to also get involved with Atlanta youth groups.

Ray Singer is the director of programs for 100 Black Men of Atlanta.

“I could call on Ken on any day of the week,” Singer said. “Mr. Hudson I need you to come over to Best Academy and speak to a group of boys, I need you to come over to Maynard Jackson or North Atlanta and he wouldn’t hesitate even when he was becoming ill.”

A Pittsburgh native, Ken had ties to Boston as well.

He founded the Boston Shootout, a basketball tournament for local HS players.

When interviewed about Ken Hudson for his autobiography, I took the opportunity to thank him for his support over the years.

I know it’s not easy being a black woman in this industry he once said but just think about all the little girls of color you might be inspiring.

“It’s very simple, none of us are here for a long period time but while we’re here the objective is to leave the place better than you found it.”

Thank you, Ken.