Maryland Athletics 2022 Hall of Fame Spotlight: Hudson Taylor

Hudson Taylor loved wrestling in College Park. The crowd, his family, and his teammates made the environment perfect.

Taylor made the XFINITY Center Pavilion his home for five years, and perhaps no Maryland wrestler has ever been more successful. A stalwart at 197-pounds, Taylor went 165-28 during his time in college, finishing as the winningest Maryland wrestler in a single season and a career.

Now, Taylor will be enshrined at XFINITY Center as a 2022 Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame inductee this October.

"So excited," Taylor said. "I'm just overwhelmed. As a student-athlete you can't help but see that Hall of Fame every day when you're walking through the hallways. It was a place I aspired to be for the honor and the recognition."

Hudson Taylor, who never lost a match in College Park, was a force across the wrestling landscape. The only three-time All-American in program history, Taylor defined Maryland wrestling in the first decade of the 21st century. The Pennington, New Jersey, native came to College Park in 2005 and, throughout his career, made his impact felt nationwide with victories over notable names such as Max Askren and Trevor Brandvold.

Taylor remains the program record-holder with 87 falls, which also sits fifth all-time in NCAA history. In addition, he holds four of the top-six seasons for falls in NCAA history as well.

Competing in the ACC at the time, Taylor led the Terps to a trio of ACC Tournament Team Titles, including his final two seasons. He was a two-time ACC Champion at 197-pounds and was twice the ACC Wrestler of the Year. 

Coaching at ACC-rival Virginia at the time, Maryland head coach Alex Clemsen remembers Taylor as a force to be reckoned with on the mat. Now, he's excited for the Terrapin legend to be enshrined.

"Hudson is one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Maryland history, this is a great moment for him and the program. A force on the mat and one the greatest pinners in recent memory, Hudson represents the best of Maryland Wrestling. And not only is he an incredible wrestler, but he's an even better person working towards a better society with his community work. A well-deserved honor."

Taylor relished the opportunities presented to him in College Park. As an interactive performance arts major, Taylor created his own path through college just as his Maryland inspirations, Jim Henson and Scott Van Pelt, did.

"I love Maryland so much, it's such a huge part of my identity," Taylor said. "I chose Maryland because it was a place I knew I could excel both on and off the mat. A place where I could grow as an athlete as a person. When I was at Maryland, I was at home. Maryland was my super power, I never lost a home match. Protect This House was a mantra worth owning. I'm trying to build a legacy and do something that's never been done before."

Determined to leave his mark, Taylor was laser-focused. Not only on his legacy in College Park but also on creating ripples throughout the wrestling community.

"My wrestling career was one where I was trying to make history," Taylor said. "I was trying to do things that others had never done. Athletes spend their whole lives sacrificing and putting so much in. We all come as close as we're able and you'd like to look back and be proud of what you've done. Recognition like this is special acknowledgement of the work."

Unsurprisingly, Taylor was a model teammate and leader. Setting the example each day in the wrestling room and inspiring his teammates, Taylor was an example of success day in and day out.

"Hudson was an incredibly skilled wrestler, whose creativity on the mat inspired his teammates," fellow All-American Josh Asper said. "As a leader, he was not afraid to stick to what he believed in and had a willingness to help others. A place in the Hall of Fame is no surprise to anyone who has witnessed his success at UMD. He's more than deserving of this recognition."

With his wrestling legacy cemented through various records and accomplishments, Taylor continued making an impact. When he graduated in 2012, he was named University of Maryland Alumnus of the Year for his work as an LGBT rights activist.

Always passionate about the topic, Taylor honed in on ending homophobia and transphobia in sports as his mission. Taylor founded Athlete Ally, an organization focused on ending those prejudices in sport and empowering the athletic community to champion equality.

Not only working with wrestling but all sports nationwide, Athlete Ally's impact is felt across all sports. His organization has had conversations with the International Olympic Committee, the NCAA, NBA, and ACC to make a direct impact.

Officially a Maryland Athletics Hall of Famer, Taylor is keenly aware of the legacy he's left behind. Whether grappling foes or creating a better society, Taylor wouldn't be where he is without Maryland.

"The work I do today working to end homophobia in sport is a direct byproduct of my experience at Maryland. Maryland gave me that perspective and helped me identify things that were problematic, plus the optimism to make a difference. A college kid is old enough to know something is wrong and young enough to do something about it."