After a 37-year career dedicated to Athletic Training, leadership, and service, University of Texas at Arlington Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Roy Rudewick has retired, leaving behind a legacy that extends well beyond the sidelines.
"I was a severe asthmatic, and so I was having issues breathing, but I wanted to play basketball, but I couldn't," Rudewick said. "It was a way for me to stay engaged with sports."
Following internships with the Houston Oilers and leadership roles at two Texas high schools, Rudewick returned to his alma mater in 2007 as Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine before becoming the department's senior associate athletic director in 2020.
Throughout his career, he also helped shape the profession through leadership positions with the North Texas Athletic Trainers' Society, Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association, Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association, and the National Athletic Trainers' Association.
"They kind of reset the practice standards for athletic trainers in the state of Texas," Rudewick said. "Athletic training has evolved a lot... and so we needed to change and adapt our practice."
Known as much for his mentorship as his leadership, Rudewick earned the respect of colleagues throughout Texas.
"There was never a day where I doubted that he didn't care for me," said UTA Athletic Trainer Gina Giammanco. "He would sit and listen... and would also offer advice in a way that wasn't like, 'You should do it my way.'"
Although retiring from UTA, Rudewick will continue serving in leadership with the Texas State Athletic Trainers' Association through 2027.
"Professionally, I'll still be very engaged on behalf of the profession of athletic training and trying to improve things for athletic trainers across the country," he said.
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