Hudson to be inducted into MHSAA’s Hall of Fame

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This article was published 15/04/2019 (2357 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In some ways, four decades has flown by for Phil Hudson.

“A year goes by, then five, then 10 — the next thing you know it’s 38 years,” Hudson told The Lance recently in light of the news of his upcoming induction into the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame.

Hudson is the former longtime physical education department head/athletic director at Dakota Collegiate, who retired from his position last year. However, the lure of the volleyball court proved too much for the 62-year-old — a legend in the local volleyball community — who, despite his retirement from teaching, continued to coach the Dakota Lancers during the close season — his 31st with the team. The season ended on a high note for Hudson’s charges, with the Lancers varsity boys’ volleyball team beating the Lord Selkirk Royals to become provincial champions last December.  

The St. Vital resident is one of two athletes, and three builders to be selected for this year’s class of 2019, who will be presented with their awards at the association’s hall of fame reception on May 11 at the Holiday Inn South. Also set to be inducted this year are Missy Penner and Megan Cyr in the athlete category, and Mike Babb and Mark Diboll in the builder category.

“It’s a great honour, especially this year being inducted alongside Mike Babb and Mark Diboll,” Hudson said, noting he went to university with Babb.

During his time as a high school volleyball coach, Hudson has, to date, won seven provincial championships — five with Dakota and two before that with the West Kildonan Wolverines, as he started his teaching career at West Kildonan Collegiate.

As well as teaching at the high school level, Hudson — who has also coached cross-country, track and field, and soccer through the years — also enjoyed a period as head coach of the University of Manitoba Bison men’s volleyball team in 2007, and a stint as assistant coach with the Team Canada women’s volleyball team in 2005.

“In 2007, Garth Pischke took a sabbatical, and they needed someone to coach the team, so I took on the challenge. All the players were super motivated and dedicated, and it was a great experience,” Hudson said.

“And 2005 was an awesome experience. I took a leave of absence from school for a few months, and it was great getting to work with elite world-class athletes. It was pretty motivating for me as a coach.”  

And in light of everything he’s given to the sport, it’s working with players and helping develop them — as well as the support of his wife and children, and their mutual love of sport — that still energizes Hudson as much as ever.

“Lots of things have kept me going along the way, especially the fact that we all love sport as a family,” he said.

“After I retired, I went back to coach the Lancers again, and it’s been very motivating to continue to help direct them on a path. It’s very fulfilling as a coach seeing kids develop as both athletes and young people, and many of the skills they learn as athletes also help them in their personal life.”

“When I first started at West Kildonan Collegiate in 1981, I wasn’t much older than a lot of the guys I coached. I have a lot of great memories from there. And as I think about my induction, I’m humbled by the honour. At the end of the day, you’re just going about your job,” Hudson added.