WKCTC Honored Donnie Rudolph at Basketball Season Opener

Rudolph Life-long Supporter of Education and Basketball

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PADUCAH, KY (10/23/2018) Donnie Rudolph has spent most of his life devoted to making a difference in the lives of students through education and basketball. His legacy as an educator, coach and mentor, a career that spanned over 40 years, was honored during the halftime season opener October 22 of West Kentucky Community and Technical College's basketball club, the West Kentucky Stars.

Basketball was the only way for Rudolph, who is currently struggling with health challenges, to get an education. As a young man, Rudolph was able to attend college by playing basketball for Paducah Junior College, one of the founding institutions of WKCTC. After he retired as principal of Reidland High School, he returned to the college to teach in 1991. He soon began the process to establish a basketball club on campus so other students could benefit from the sport as he had years earlier. Before retiring from the college in 2009, Rudolph worked to build the club's success, including backing the program with his own money.

"He and Becky Rudolph (his wife) made the commitment of giving of their own resources to start this basketball program. It was their commitment financially that made it possible for us to start and restart a (basketball) program here on this campus," said WKCTC President Emeritus Barbara Veazey, who was president of the college when the basketball club began in fall 2005.

"He loved the game of basketball, but he saw it as a way to educate our youth, keep our youth and graduate our youth. I applaud him; I recognize him from the bottom of my heart for the work that he did as an educator and as a human being," she said.

Former club team player Payton Croft said, "Basketball was what kept him (Rudolph) involved in school, and he wanted to give that same opportunity to people like myself and all the way down to the players that are playing for Coach Chumbler today. As we've said, it took a lot of funds from Mr. Rudolph to really get the program started," said Croft, who is now the head coach of the boys' basketball team at Trigg County. "As an 18-year-old young man, I saw a man with deep pockets...but as a 31-year-old man, I see he had a big heart."

Following the heartfelt comments of Veazey, Croft and other former players Matt Snow and Jacob Scott, as well as former colleague and family friend, Tracy Jordan, WKCTC President Anton Reece made a special announcement as a salute to Rudolph and his wife.

He announced the newly established Don and Rebecca Rudolph Fund that will provide proceeds to support the Future Educators Scholarship established last year as part of the college's Regional Educators Awards Celebration, and the WKCTC basketball club. An initial gift of $5,000 has been earmarked to begin the fund and donations will be accepted to help the fund grow. When the fund reaches $25,000, an endowment will be established.

"This fund will ensure Mr. Rudolph's legacy as an educator, coach and mentor will always be remembered," said Reece as he addressed the game's large, reverent crowd. "The WKCTC family salutes, cherishes and honors Donnie and Rebecca Rudolph."

To donate online to the Don and Rebecca Rudolph Fund, visit the WKCTC website at westkentucky.kctcs.edu/Giving, select GIVE ONLINE NOW. Call the WKCTC Advancement Office with any questions at (270) 534-3080.

The game and Rudolph's halftime tribute can also be seen on the WKCTC website, search for basketball and click on Watch Home Games Online.