BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Athletics announced the launch of the "Doc E Difference" Fundraising Campaign on Tuesday.
The campaign aims to raise $50,000 to match a $50,000 gift from donor Steve Parker to name WKU's athletic training room in Houchens-Smith Stadium in honor of longtime athletic trainer Bill "Doc E" Edwards.
"I feel fortunate to lead this gift in the name of a man whose legacy is worth honoring – Bill Edwards, AKA 'Doc E' as all of us know him," Parker said. "Doc has impacted the lives of every student-athlete, every student trainer, every coach and many others to come through this university since 1970. … Doc, we love you. Your life and your legacy is one worth honoring. Doc has taught me integrity, hard work, compassion and care for others, which is what he contributed his entire career to. I ask you to donate to these efforts if you're able, to name the athletic training facility at Western Kentucky University in the name of Bill Edwards. Thank you so much."
The campaign has been launched to commemorate the true difference that Edwards made in the lives of student-athletes during his 47-year career at WKU.
"It's hard to put that into words – what WKU means to me," Edwards said. "Really, probably it was the reason I became an athletic trainer. It means a lot to me, next to my family. I probably wouldn't have been an athletic trainer if I couldn't have been an athletic trainer at Western Kentucky University. My first love was Western.
"What I would like for it to mean, is for all those over-200 student trainers that worked with us in those facilities and the some 25-or-so staff members, for them when they see that name up there, that they'll feel like they're a big part of it. I couldn't have done it without them. They should feel a great part of that just by looking at that and thinking of their time there."
Edwards was named Head Athletic Trainer at WKU in 1983 after six years as an assistant, and he was elevated to Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Training and Sports Medicine in 2009 – a position he held until his retirement in 2017.
A two-time graduate of WKU in 1974 and 1976, Edwards came to The Hill as a student in 1970 and began his career as a student athletic trainer. He received his degree in Physical Education in 1974 and was a member of Phi Delta Theta, where he served as fraternity president in 1973-74. Edwards followed his undergraduate curriculum by earning his graduate degree in Secondary Education and Health Education from WKU in 1976 and certification with the National Athletic Trainers Association, a distinction he has held since 1975.
Under Edwards' leadership, the athletic training program grew from a staff of three to 12 certified athletic trainers who provided health care and athletic training for all 16 WKU sport teams. Edwards also coordinated a large group of sports medicine specialists, including team physicians and physical therapists, to ensure appropriate, time and state-of-the-art health care for WKU student-athletes. In addition to his daily athletic training duties, Edwards served as a faculty member since 1977 and taught in the School of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport at WKU, mentoring countless future sports professionals.
Over his time at WKU, Hilltopper and Lady Topper teams combined to win 164 total conference championships across the Ohio Valley, Sun Belt and Conference USA.
Edwards was inducted into the WKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 2016 and continues to serve on the W-Club Board of Directors. Edwards was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Trainers Society (KATS) Hall of Fame in 2010 and served as treasurer of the board for many years.
"One of the things that I think is very important that 'Doc E' taught me was, 'Remember, you're here to take care of these kids. Whatever you've got to do, that's the priority. You treat everybody like family and everybody is important,'" said Mike Gaddie, the WKU Senior Executive Director of Sports Medicine and Student-Athlete Well-Being. "That, to me, is what I take from who Bill Edwards is."
To make a gift to support the "Doc E Difference," click HERE or email Assistant Athletic Director for Major Gifts Benji Stewart at benji.stewart@wku.edu.
The launch of the "Doc E Difference" campaign coincides with today's WKU Day of Giving – a 24-hour fundraising initiative dedicated to supporting students, programs and opportunities across The Hill. Fans, alumni and supporters of the Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers are encouraged to be a part of our success by making a gift to WKU Athletics through the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation. Hilltopper fans are able to celebrate WKU Day of Giving with a contribution to the HAF Impact Fund or by making a gift to their favorite team's enhancement fund by visiting WKUSports.com/DayofGiving.
How to follow WKU Athletics: For all the latest on WKU Athletics, follow @WKUSports on X and Instagram, as well as facebook.com/WKUAthletics, or visit WKUSports.com.
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