AUBURN, Ala. – Renowned for his athletic training skills, revered for his personal touch and the enduring impact he made at Auburn University, Herbert "Hub" Waldrop passed away April 9 at the age of 85.
Waldrop served Auburn for nearly a half century, rising from assistant trainer and freshman assistant coach to head athletic trainer, while teaching in Auburn University's School of Kinesiology.
"The kindest, most ethical, go-by-the rules guy you ever wanted to meet," recalled Bo Jackson, the 1985 Heisman Trophy winner. "He cared about the players as people, not just because they played sports.
"He wanted to know how was your life outside of football. He was more like a parent to us. Every player would say the same thing. I don't think there's one person on the planet who has anything negative to say about Hub Waldrop.
"He greeted everyone with a smile, and that's hard to find. Not only me but all the players who played under his care are going to miss him dearly."
Quentin Riggins, a member of Auburn University's Board of Trustees who contributed to three SEC championships from 1987-89, echoed Jackson's sentiments.
"I don't care if it was 6 o'clock in the morning or 6 o'clock in the evening, he was there," Riggins said. "He cared about each and every athlete. He took a genuine interest in each player. He was going to be waiting on you in the training room and he was going to take care of you.
"He spent more time with us than with his family. He probably spent more time with us than our coaches. He deserves every accolade."
Waldrop earned his first Auburn University degree in health and physical education in 1960, then earned his master's in 1962. In 2012, Waldrop received the Jack Meagher Award for significant contributions to society through athletics.
When Auburn Athletics chief medical officer Dr. Michael Goodlett came to Auburn in the summer of 1993, Waldrop taught him what it meant to be an Auburn man.
"Hub was one of the most genuine Auburn people I've ever met," said Goodlett, Auburn's team physician. "He was a hall of fame trainer for a reason. He was the kind of athletic trainer that every athletic trainer should want to be. He cared about the kids personally."
Goodlett marveled at Waldrop's ability to correctly diagnose sports injuries.
"He could take a history and watch you walk, and he knew what was wrong with you," Goodlett said. "He was usually spot-on. I was honored that he shared his knowledge of Auburn with me. He was a delight."
Waldrop mentored many, including Jim Lovell, who became the athletic trainer for the Atlanta Braves before becoming the team's senior director of travel.
"I couldn't have asked for a better one. Coach was as good of a man as you'll ever find anywhere," Lovell said. "He loved his players. He loved those of us who worked for him and he loved his family. He was such a great example because he balanced his work responsibilities and his family responsibilities and caring about other people. It was amazing to watch how he did it."
Waldrop served as assistant athletic trainer from 1960-75, then as head athletic trainer from 1976-94 before serving another decade in Athletics in career counseling and drug education.
In 1983, he received Auburn Athletics' Distinguished Service Award. After retiring from Athletics in 2005, his service to Auburn continued in his athletic training course, pouring into students.
One of those students, Robin Martin, would go on to become the School of Kinesiology's director for advising.
"Hub Waldrop was an Auburn legend," Martin said. "As a student, we learned more life lessons from him than anything. He was one of the kindest men I've ever met and I'm a better person having had the chance to know him."
A tenured faculty member since 1962, Waldrop balanced his teaching and athletic training duties for decades.
"Hub Waldrop was as excited and proud when he received his academic promotion to assistant professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (now the School of Kinesiology) as he was when Auburn celebrated a win at Toomer's Corner," said Susan Nunnelly, former women's basketball coach and director of campus recreation. "Not only did he teach students academic knowledge, he taught them life lessons that would reach far beyond the classroom and training room – dedication, discipline, compassion, honesty and trust. Coach Waldrop was an Auburn man who lived the Auburn Creed daily."
"Hub was one of the kindest, most caring souls I have ever met," said Dr. Mary Rudisill, director of the School of Kinesiology. "He loved Auburn University and was a dedicated teacher."
In 1998, Waldrop was inducted into the Alabama Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. Married for 62 years to the former Jean Robertson, the Waldrops raised their daughter, Lisa Kiteley, and grandchildren Caroline, Trent, Allison and Clay to love Auburn as they did.
Waldrop positively influenced everyone with whom he interacted.
"He had the most profound impact on Auburn football players than any one individual," said former athletics director Jay Jacobs, an offensive lineman in the 1980s and administrator during Waldrop's tenure.
Jacobs recalls advice Waldrop gave at football practice after Jay had gotten engaged.
"'To be a great football team, you've got to work at it every day,'" Waldrop told the young conditioning coach. "'Your marriage is the same way. To have a great marriage, you've got to work at it every day.'
"He spoke truth into people's lives. He was an athletic trainer, but he was also a father, a brother and a mentor."
A native of Fairfield, Alabama, and graduate of Hueytown High School, Waldrop earned a football scholarship to Auburn University. An eye injury ended his playing career but he remained on scholarship as a student trainer, the foundation of what became a legendary career.
"He was as good of an Auburn man as ever existed," said former athletics director David Housel. "But more importantly, he was a good, good man.
"Hub was a great athletic trainer, but more than anything, he is regarded for his love of the athletes. His love, his compassion, his toughness. He was always there for them. He was a man of deep faith, and it came through in his relationship with other people."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer
Miranda Nobles from Auburn University's School of Kinesiology contributed to this remembrance