BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – WKU Athletics and the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation exceeded the goal for the "Doc E Difference" Fundraising Campaign just over two weeks after the initiative launched, WKU announced Monday.
The campaign, which was announced as part of the WKU Day of Giving on March 31, aimed 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. The campaign has now raised more than the $100,000 goal, which will go to supporting resources in athletic training and sports medicine for WKU student-athletes.
"I had no doubt that there would be tremendous support for this campaign and the legacy of Doc E, but the speed in which funds were raised and the goal was hit exceeded all expectations," HAF Executive Director Kat Smith said. "It is a true testament to what he has meant to so many in the WKU Athletics family."
While the campaign has already exceeded its goal, gifts are still being accepted as part of the "Doc E Difference" Fundraising Campaign. To donate or to learn more, click HERE or email Assistant Athletic Director for Major Gifts Benji Stewart at benjamin.stewart@wku.edu.
The campaign was launched to commemorate the true difference that Edwards made in the lives of student-athletes during his 47-year career at WKU.
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.
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