A three-year veteran of the Western Kentucky sports medicine and athletic training staff, Jessica Judd was promoted Wednesday to the role of head football athletic trainer, announced Mike Gaddie, associate athletic director for sports medicine and athletic training.

“Jessica has been a truly valuable part of our athletic training staff and has done an excellent job during her three seasons on our staff,” Gaddie said in a news release. “I have total confidence that she is the perfect fit to oversee the care of our football team, and I know she will do an outstanding job.”

“In my dealings with Jessica, it was immediately apparent how much concern she had for the well-being of our student-athletes so this was a natural progression in her career here on The Hill,” football coach Mike Sanford said. “Our coaching staff and sport performance staff have the utmost trust in her ability to lead and elevate our athletic training program and ensure our players are getting the best possible treatment for their health and safety.”

Judd, who joined the staff prior to the 2015 season, has spent three seasons working with the team as an assistant athletic trainer and earned the promotion to associate athletic trainer prior to the start of the 2018 camp. 

“I am thankful to Mike Gaddie and head football coach Mike Sanford for their belief in me to lead our football team’s athletic training program,” Judd said. “Taking care of our student-athletes is my No. 1 priority, and I have the privilege of working with fantastic student-athletes and coaches every day on The Hill. I look forward to continuing to provide excellent care and working with our talented medical staff to keep our players healthy throughout the season.” 

Prior to coming to WKU, Judd worked as the assistant athletic trainer at  Louisiana Tech, including a stint as the interim head football athletic trainer in 2014-15. She also worked with the women’s tennis team and was a rehabilitation coordinator for all post-operative procedures for football and tennis. Additionally, Judd worked with the men’s and women’s track and field teams. 

She is an active member of the National Athlete Trainer’s Association and holds NATA BOC certification.

Judd earned her masters of science in kinesiology and health from the University of Wyoming and did her undergraduate work at the University of Alabama. Formerly Jessica Hulderman, Judd is married to Michael Judd.