Judith Wilkins Rose graduated from Winthrop College in 1974 with a bachelor of science
degree in physical education. During her career at Winthrop she was president of Sigma
Gamma Nu and served as captain of the basketball team for three years. Her senior
year she received the Hellams Award as the outstanding physical education major.
She went to the University of Tennessee and received her master's degree in physical
education while serving as an assistant to Pat Head (Summitt). She began her coaching
career at UNC-Charlotte as the basketball coach for the 49ers. She was named assistant
athletic director in 1981 and was named athletic director in 1990. She was one of
only three women to head a Division I athletic program.
Judy Rose was director of the 1996 NCAA Final Four for women and was director of the
1994 NCAA final four for men. She is a tremendously successful fundraisers for 49er
athletics and for the entire UNC-Charlotte campus. Her many hours include "Who's Who
in the South", 1996 Women of the Year in Charlotte; 1995 Winthrop Professional Alumni
Award; 1999 Pegasus Award to highlight just a few. She serves on numerous boards and
advisory committees. Supporters of 49er Athletics recently established an endowed
scholarship in her name.