Ask former Pearl River Community College President Marvin White about how important Phil "Doc" Hudson was to the Wildcat athletic program and he will tell you that Hudson had the confidence of the players and coaches that he could heal them.
Hudson, a native of Lubbock, Texas, and former Biloxi resident, spent more than 20 years as Pearl River’s trainer, beginning in 1974 and ending in the mid-1990s. 
"He was our first trainer," said Dr. White. "Anyone who got hurt or injured on this campus, whether it was an athlete or a student, they would find Coach Hudson on the campus or off the campus. He developed the reputation of being able to help them. The coaches really thought a lot of him."
And so did the people in the community, according to former Public Relations Director Larry Stanford.
"Doc could take his hands, move them along a muscle or a joint, and diagnose the problem," said Stanford. "It was amazing how well he could do that. He loved Pearl River athletes. People in the community, faculty and staff would go to him." 
Hudson was not paid a salary for his work at Pearl River. He received free room and board for his services. Said Dr. White, "Money back in those days was scarce, but we were sure appreciative of his efforts."
Hudson’s work as the school’s athletic trainer earned him a place in the college’s Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2006 during Homecoming festivities on the Pearl River campus. 
"This is an extreme honor for me," said the 90-year-old Hudson, who is recovering from a hip replacement. "I hope I am worthy of it. I believe in Pearl River College. My time there was one of the greatest periods in my life."
One of those appreciative of Hudson’s work was David Earl Johnson, a PRCC assistant football coach from 1974-81.
"Doc was a strict disciplinarian when it came to his training room," said Johnson. "It was always in excellent condition. We didn’t have a trainer until he came here. Back then, my family stayed on campus and Doc would come eat with us. He was a part of our family."
Following his graduation from Biloxi High in 1935, Hudson got his start in athletics repairing athletic equipment at Gulfport under Coach Kid Brewer. When Brewer moved to Appalachian State Teachers College in Tennessee, Hudson went with him and attended school.
He graduated from Appalachian State with a B.S. in history and an M.A. in health and safety education. He stayed on as a freshman coach until World War II.
"A friend of mine had a son playing at Pearl River, so one night he asked me to go to a game with him," said Hudson. "So I did. 
After the game, Dr. White asked me to come back the next week. I did. After that game, they offered me the job. I worked for room and board, and lived in old Bilbo Hall."
He was the trainer under head football coaches John Russell, J.C. Arban, Mike Nelson and Willie Coats.
"I have never been anywhere where I was treated any nicer than I was at Pearl River," said Hudson. "I worked with some of the finest people I have ever worked with."