The Student Athlete Advisory Committee will dedicate a baseball game April 2 to honor Hudson Wade and his family.
Hudson Wade, the 11-year-old son of ACU alumni Kirk and Laura Wade, was diagnosed with leukemia and battled the disease for the last four months of his life. During Hudson’s treatment, he was given an Wildcat baseball jersey as well as several other pieces of athletic gear because baseball was his favorite sport.
Hudson died Feb. 4 and left a legacy and memory in the lives he impacted, including the Abilene community, students and faculty.
Kyle Karnei, junior accounting major from Waco, helped organize the event after meeting Hudson at HW5K Run For Hudson earlier this year. Karnei, president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, said Hudson was a boy who lived life to the fullest and is a constant reminder of the health we have.
“We wanted Hudson’s memory to live on through and through,” Karnei said. “His family’s greatest wish is that people tell his story. We thought that it would be a great honor to dedicate a baseball game to him and his family, as well as be able to tell his story during this time.”
Contributors to the dedication include the ACU baseball team and Abilene Christian Schools, where his father, Kirk Wade, resides as president.
Hollie Baldridge, marketing coordinator for ACS, said the event was originally supposed to have Hudson throw the first pitch at the game. However, after Hudson’s death, SAAC decided to follow through with the plans and allow Hudson’s best friend to throw the first pitch in his honor.
Baldridge and Karnei said they see the value in keeping their promise to the Wade family, especially during this time of mourning and remembrance.
The event will include a carnival and is open to the public. It will begin at 12:30 p.m. at Crutcher Scott Field. During the event, the public can choose to sign up for the bone marrow registry system. Free rally towels with the slogan “Faith over Fear,” the phrase his family used during Hudson’s fight, will be given out to carnival goers.
“Just because Hudson passed, it makes us want to honor and fight for him even more,” Karnei said.
