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Edinboro Alum and Manager of Annual Giving Victor Hudson Is Fighting Scots True Gift That Keeps People Giving
If someone is discussing money or finances with people, they better be present and kind. For three-time Edinboro University alum, Victor Hudson, his infectious smile and relatable nature to people of many backgrounds makes him the perfect fit for the role of Manager of Annual Giving for Edinboro.
Less than an hour meeting with the former Division II All-American defensive-end/outside linebacker, he easily makes people feel important and as if he knew someone his entire life. Whether the talk is about sports, the university itself, or someone’s intention to donate to their alma mater, Hudson is easy to keep a conversation with.
With a phone ringing off the hook on a Tuesday afternoon, Hudson is certainly one of the more well known staff members at Edinboro. As a former student-athlete, a former graduate-assistant in the provost’s office, and now in the role he is currently in, Hudson has been able to meet and make an impact on a lot of people over the last almost decade as a member of the Fighting Scots community.
“You are kind of like the mayor of this place, right,” I said with a laugh. “Ehh, I wouldn’t go that far!,” he replied with a smile.
Looking back to his time as a high schooler at Nordonia High in suburban Cleveland, he was able to take the field with two current NFL players, with one being current Browns ballhawk, Denzel Ward. Slightly undersized for defensive-end coming out of high school, several Division II schools were after Hudson’s services. The big-three of Erie County, Gannon, Mercyhurst, and Edinboro, were Hudson’s top three offers.
Ultimately, he decided being a Fighting Scot was the opportunity he couldn’t pass up, and it is incredible to think where this decision has led him. As a Public Relations and Journalism, Sports and Recreation Management, and a Master of Education graduate, Hudson’s first five years at the Boro were quite busy.
However, being busy was a situation Hudson thrived in, citing better grades during each fall semester during his undergraduate career. Additionally, his sophomore fall semester became one of the more memorable ones as he first started dating his now wife, Peyton.
“She first saw me at orientation before freshman year, but I was too focused on the placement test and paying attention that I hadn’t even noticed. We officially met in the second semester of freshman year, and I can still remember I had a smooth pickup line and told her I had the textbook for our class if she ever wanted to study together. This after having to practically chase her down after class because she would just take off after and I would never have a chance to talk to her. I can remember that book was like 200 bucks and I bought that sucker. She ended up saying we didn’t even need it, but she did get lunch with me that day. We have been tight ever since. “She’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Now nearly a decade into his time at Edinboro, there’s satisfaction to look back on, but still plenty more goals to pursue. With a goal of earning a doctorate level degree in the future, this very well could be one of the next steps Hudson takes in his professional life. In the back of his mind, there is another goal of one day becoming a college athletic director, but for now, he is thrilled to continue to help give back to a university that has provided him with a well-rounded skill set and many athletic and professional experiences.
Attending Edinboro allowed him access to work for the Edinboro University and Mercyhurst University athletic departments during his schooling, while also adding an internship with the Erie Seawolves organization, the class AA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.
On the field, Hudson helped Edinboro go from 0-11 as a junior to 9-2 as a senior. The Greater Cleveland native also became an All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) performer in the process, racking up 11.5 sacks and 67 tackles in his final collegiate season.
The personal and program growth helped him to feel reassurance that being a college football player was worth it. Looking back, there is no debate that seeing things through for four years as a Fighting Scot football player was worth it.
“Football and athletics in general has changed my life forever in the most positive ways. The life lessons you learn, like working within a team filled with players from many different backgrounds, is something you take with you forever. Honestly, the biggest thing football provided me with was the ability to pursue a higher education. Football really became an opportunity to better myself. I don’t know where I would be without it.”
Over his time as a FIghting Scot, Victor Hudson has helped alumni give back to a university that so many have fond memories of. For someone with such rich ties to athletics and the institution itself and is eager to learn and develop strong relationships, Hudson is in the perfect place to succeed for many more years to come.
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