Making a difference: Hudson foundation honors Legends Club students

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn baseball players shared snacks, waters and smiles with 1,200 elementary students from Auburn, Opelika and Lee County schools at the Hudson Family Foundation Legends Club celebration.

Making a difference, just as Auburn baseball legend Tim Hudson and his wife, Kim, have sought to do since launching their foundation 16 years ago when Tim pitched for the Atlanta Braves.

As the students entered Neville Arena Nov. 14, they heard the enthusiastic sounds of the Auburn University pep band while marching past the spirit squad and Aubie.

They left with something to help make Thanksgiving dinner even more of a joyous occasion, a $100 Kroger gift card.

Celebrating its 10^th year, the Legends Club program Is one of the signature events of the foundation, which seeks to build self-esteem, pride and hope in school-age children overcoming challenges.

The event’s first speaker, former Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl, invited the students to look up at the rafters, where retired jerseys of program legends hang alongside Auburn’s NCAA Final Four banners.

“The reason why we were great and the reason why we were champions is not because we started out as the best team,” Pearl said. “It’s not because our team was the highest rated in the country, but they worked really hard.

“They trusted each other, they counted on each other, they listened to their coaches, they made some sacrifices, and they recognized that when the team was successful, they as an individual would get far more credit than if they had individual success but the team failed. It was all about the team.”

The Hudson’s foundation asks teachers to nominate students for their effort, initiative, integrity, discipline and service.

“They reached out to your teachers,” Pearl said. “They reached out to your principals. They reached out to people at each of your schools and said tell us; we want to know those students who have a chance to be champions, who have a chance to be great, who are working hard, who are being great teammates, who have a love for their family.

“In other words, Tim and Kim were looking for the same students who I looked for when we put together our Final Four teams. We are so glad that you are here. We hope you will always remember that Auburn has a great love for you, and we hope you will always have a great love for Auburn.”

Master of ceremonies Andy Burcham introduced the Hudsons.

“You were specifically hand-picked because you have earned this award as a legend,” Kim Hudson said. “Now you have a big responsibility to go back into your schools and your homes and be a good example to everyone else.”

Kim Hudson introduced a video starring current and former Auburn student-athletes and coaches, including Steven Pearl and Bo Jackson, who shared what being a legend means to them.

“I’m here to congratulate you on being selected by your teachers to be part of the Hudson Family Foundation’s legends,” said Jackson, who will be honored during Saturday’s Iron Bowl on the 40^th anniversary of his Heisman Trophy win. “I think I’m one of those legends and it’s a good program to be in. To be in this club, you have to be someone special. You have to be special in the classroom; you’ve got to be special when you go home.”

Legends on the Plains, teaming up to make a difference by celebrating local students and brightening the holidays for their families.

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer