This feature is part of our series called Rooted & Rising. This storytelling campaign is centered on celebrating the unique heritage, lived experiences, and paths that have shaped leaders around the CCS, recognizing that our conference is strengthened by individuals who come from different backgrounds, communities, and walks of life.
 
Long before the sidelines, the evaluations, and the quiet moments of reassurance behind the scenes, Agnes Scott’s head athletic trainer, Rudae Gadson, had a simple desire: to help people.

“I’ve always known I wanted to help people and was drawn to health care,” she says. “I just wasn’t sure in what capacity.” Raised in an athletic family, sports were a natural part of Rudae's life. But it was an injury in high school that clarified her path. In the midst of recovery, she found more than rehabilitation — she found inspiration.

“Seeing how my athletic trainer supported me throughout my injury made me realize that providing healthcare to athletes was the perfect combination of my passions,” she recalls. “From that moment, I knew this was the profession for me.”

What began as a setback became a calling. Athletic training wasn’t just about tape and treatment plans — it was about advocacy, presence, and trust. It was about being the steady voice in uncertain moments.

Graduate school became the next defining chapter in her journey. There, two mentors shaped her philosophy.

One, the Head Athletic Trainer at Central Connecticut State University, “challenged me, prepared me for every situation, and instilled a deep passion for the profession,” she says.

The other, a graduate assistant who continues to support and motivate her, reinforced the importance of community and consistency.

“From both, I learned the importance of preparation, resilience, and giving back to future athletic training students.”

Preparation became more than readiness and resilience became more than endurance — it became identity. And giving back became non-negotiable. Those lessons now travel with her into every practice, every game, every student-athlete interaction.

In college athletics, athletic trainers often work behind the scenes — but their presence is deeply felt.



As a Black professional in this space, she understands that her visibility carries meaning.

“I hope my presence shows student-athletes that they can pursue big dreams and belong in these spaces,” she says. “I want them to know that hard work, confidence, and standing up for yourself can take you far. Representation matters, and I strive to be someone they can see themselves in.”

Her leadership isn’t loud. It’s consistent. It’s rooted in excellence. It’s grounded in the belief that sometimes impact looks like simply showing up — prepared, confident, and unapologetically present.



For her, Black History Month is both reflection and motivation.

“It reminds me of the importance of representation and honoring those who paved the way,” she says.

But honoring the past is not passive. It calls her forward.

“It motivates me to lead with purpose, advocate for others, and show up with pride and integrity in my role.”

That pride is not performative — it is deeply personal. It shapes how she serves. It influences how she advocates. It fuels the quiet commitment to excellence that defines her daily work. She stands on the shoulders of those who opened doors — and understands that by walking confidently through them, she helps keep them open for others.

When asked what advice she would give to Black students and young professionals aspiring to work in college athletics, her message is clear — and affirming.

“Believe in yourself and know that you belong,” she says. “Seek out mentors, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Your experiences and voice matter, and your presence helps open doors for others.”

That final truth feels like the heartbeat of her story: presence opens doors.

In training rooms and on sidelines, in conversations and quiet encouragement, she is doing more than caring for athletes — she is modeling possibility. Rooted in purpose. Rising through preparation. And showing, every day, that helping people can transform more than just the body — it can shape belief.