AUBURN, Ala. – An academic expedition that began in the fall of 1995 ended 26 years later when Tim Hudson graduated from Auburn University on December 11th.
“I’m as proud of that as of anything I’ve accomplished in baseball,” said Hudson, 1997 SEC Player of the Year, who won 222 major league baseball games and a World Series ring in 2014.
“Baseball was my comfort zone,” said Hudson, Auburn pitching coach. “That’s why I knew I was talented at playing baseball.”
After retiring after the 2015 season, the Hudsons – Tim, his wife Kim, and their three children – live in Auburn year-round. Kim, a partner in an Auburn law firm, had long encouraged Tim to graduate.
“It would have been easy to take it off and not come back and just ride into retirement,” he said. “That was really important to me.
“I didn’t know it would take over 20 years. I should probably be a rocket scientist for as long as I’ve needed. It took me a while to get going, but a lot of motivation and encouragement from my family helped. “
When Hudson resumed his academic career in 2019, having played 17 seasons in the major leagues, his goal was to graduate from Auburn before his eldest daughter, Kennedie, who is a freshman this fall and is now a junior.
Mission accomplished.
“Hardly,” said Hudson, chuckling that he was tempted to postpone graduation a few more semesters so he and Kennedie could graduate together. “The closer she got to graduation, the more I thought about it. I’m glad we finished and I’m proud of it. “
Hudson’s last requirement was an internship at The Exceptional Foundation, where he works with people with special needs.
“A great deal,” said Hudson. “Spending time there was the highlight of my day.”
Tim Hudson, Born in 2021, graduated from Auburn University in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on health promotion and philanthropy.
“It’s never too late,” he said. “Once you get there, no matter where your career takes you, there is always time to come back. It is very good for you personally to know that you have achieved something to be proud of. I am the first graduate of my family. I am proud of that and I know my family is too.
“Auburn has been great to me over the years and very helpful in trying to come back. I know that a lot of people trying to come back after so many years can find it difficult and intimidating. You made it as easy as possible for me. There’s a lot of encouragement there. “
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
