Richard Rhudy

Richard “Rick” Rhudy, the son of Hall of Fame Coach Bill Rhudy, played tennis at Emory & Henry from 1972-76. A four-year letterwinner and VCAA Singles Champion, he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Because Emory & Henry tennis competed in the VCAA conference, Rhudy squared off against opponents from both large and small colleges and universities. In doubles with partner Vic Barrett, Rhudy took second in the conference in 1975. He was a singles semi-finalist in the VCAA Tournament in both 1974 and 1975, and he won the tournament his senior year – the first E&H men’s tennis player to earn a conference title.

During Rhudy’s career, the team amassed a record of 125-20 with a win percentage of 86.2%. He was team captain from 1974-76 and made All-State Second Team in 1975 and First Team the following year. Upon graduation, Rhudy held the school record for most career wins, at 132, and his win percentage for singles matches was a stunning 89.8%. In 1976, he became the first Emory & Henry men’s tennis player to qualify for Nationals.

Rhudy coached tennis at E&H for five seasons, accruing a 78-18 record and 81.3% win-percentage as a coach. He served for years as an assistant at the Emory & Henry Bookstore. His civic activities have included serving terms as president of Glade Spring Middle School PTA and Patrick Henry High School Band Boosters, as well as being a member of the Historical Society of Washington County.