Joe Hudson looks to make the same type of plays at Miami that he made at Piqua.

Feb. 2, 2005 – PIQUA
It was evident by the smiles and the energy in front of the athletic trophy case, that this day has been long awaited by Joe Hudson. February 2 was national signing day for high school athletes across the country to make it official by signing on the dotted line to make their commitment to a collegiate athletic career. Joe Hudson did just that. Signing his name be become a Redhawk for Miami of Ohio.

Joe has been on campus, attending classes and taking part in winter workouts there for almost 4 weeks now and is loving every minute of it! “I knew back in October,” Hudson stated, “Miami is where I wanted to be.” Thinking back a few years ago, when Pitcock (Quinn) signed with Ohio State, “I want to be doing that some day too”, said Hudson, “and how much of an inspiration that day was for me”.

Right now Joe is just trying to get faster and stronger and is hopeful that it will pay off when spring practice starts in a couple of months. The plan is for him to stay at outside linebacker, which he is quite comfortable with and says that he “has a good mental grasp of that position”.

“It’s always great to represent the program (Piqua football) and the families at a great school”, said Bill Nees, Head Football Coach for the Indians. “Joe is very versatile, he knows football and has great work ethic”. Those things will make Joe successful at Miami in both athletics and academics.

Friday nights under the lights, is what Joe says he will miss most about his football career at Piqua High School. “It will be strange not playing on Fridays anymore”, says Hudson. Joe feels that he has learned a great deal from the coaching staff during his tenure as an Indian and that the Piqua football coaches are a superior group of coaches.

It is without a doubt, that Joe Hudson will surely be missed for many Friday nights to come of Piqua football, but rest assured, there will be many great Saturdays of football to take it’s place. Joe, it has been a pleasure for us all to watch you grow into a fine athlete, student, and most importantly, a fine person over the past four years. We wish you the best of luck in your new career at Miami and will look forward to seeing you on the field as a Redhawk. Congratulations!

Jim Rinaldi, II
PiquaFootball.com