Hudy!

I went to a really fun event yesterday at Top Golf in Overland Park. Shawnee Mission Health sponsored a men's health program with Andrea Hudy as guest speaker. As impressed as I have always been with Andrea's work, she is even more impressive in person. She spent about 20 minutes talking about the program at KU; answering several questions related to her work with the basketball program and how technology plays a part in designing "fitness prescriptions" for each player depending on their body type and position. According to Andrea, there are 3 basic types of athletes: linear (those who run mostly in a straight line like baseball outfielders and runners), lateral (e.g. basketball players, baseball infielders, soccer players) and rotational (e.g. golfers and pitchers). Each one needs a different exercise program designed specifically for them as an individual, to build them up safely without causing injury and in a way that prevents future injury while performing. She is very concerned that her programs be "healthy" for the athletes.

When asked about her favorite success stories, she pointed to Jeff Withey who had to relearn how to jump after playing a lot of volleyball and Tarik Black who came to KU with a weak and unproductive body and became an NBA player in one year. She glows about Perry Ellis who came to every practice and every game at his peak; never letting down and getting better every day due to his intense work ethic. The best athletes she's coached have been Andrew Wiggins (who she calls Gumby because he moves like a slinky and yet can in an instant become rigid and strong like a leaf spring) and Ben McLemore. She said that Josh Jackson can be the same kind of athlete. Her biggest project this year will likely be Udoka Azubuike. He comes into the program at 7' and 300 pounds, but really weak. You know she is jazzed about getting him into shape.

She has been contacted by numerous NFL, NBA, NHL and MLS teams to help improve their strength and conditioning programs. From her conversations with these and other organizations, she believes that KU is currently 15 years ahead of the rest of the fitness industry.

There is no doubt that KU indeed has in Andrea Hudy what Jeff Withey dubbed a "secret weapon".

I certainly hope Hudy gets paid a salary high enough to keep her here until she retires! She is in great demand, and there probably many programs, both pro, as you mentioned, and college teams, who would love to lure her away.

Only one thing puzzles me: She never appears to be wearing a KU shirt or any other item identifying her as a Jayhawk. Perhaps she wears a necklace or something we can't see on TV, or perhaps she is mainly dedicated to improving players' skills and has no particular allegiance to Kansas University. (Which is why I hope her salary is, and continues to be, huge!)

Thanks, HawkE! I feel much better after seeing her in KU garb.

You make a good point about her dressing up a bit more for games.

We are so fortunate to have such an accomplished person on KU's staff! (Eat your heart out, those who'd love to have her on theirs!)