B.S. in Physical Education: Western Kentucky University, 1974
M.A. in Secondary Education: Western Kentucky University, 1976
NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer, 1975
Bill "Doc E" Edwards serves as WKU's Athletic Trainer Emeritus after concluding a lengthy career on The Hill which spanned over 47 years.
Edwards, a 2016 inductee into WKU's Hall of Distinguished Alumni, was named Head Athletic Trainer at WKU in 1983 after six years as an assistant and was elevated to his current post in 2009. A two-time graduate of the University 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 provide 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 has served as a faculty member since 1977 and teaches in the School of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport on The Hill, mentoring countless numbers of future sports professionals.
Over his time on The Hill, Hilltopper and Lady Topper teams have combined to win 164 total conference championships across the Ohio Valley, Sun Belt and now Conference USA.
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. Along with his KATS duties, Edwards is a member of the Alumni W-Club Board of Directors and has served as treasurer of that board since 1996.
He is married to the former Jennie Willoughby, and they have two daughters, Faith and Rachel. Between them, the family has six degrees from WKU.
