When Emanuel County called Mitchell Hudson’s number, he answered and stepped up. The former athlete and longtime coach now holds the playbook and is calling the shots as Emanuel County's new recreation director.
A Swainsboro native, Hudson grew up playing on many of the same courts and fields he now oversees. He played youth basketball at the Emanuel County Recreation Department. He also played baseball for the Black and Gold on what are now considered the recreation department’s old fields before Swainsboro High School built its current complex for diamond sports.
“To come full circle like this is still a little surreal,” Hudson said. “I’ve always been involved in athletics in some way, and now getting to help shape the experience for today’s kids, it’s pretty special. It also means a lot to me, getting to be part of a department that creates opportunities for families to spend time together.”
Hudson has been married to his high school sweetheart since 2006, and he’s a four-time “girl dad.” This familial experience, he says, gives him invaluable perspective for running recreation.
“[It] should be something the whole family feels welcome in. We don’t want folks just showing up to a game and leaving,” he said. “We want them engaged and genuinely having fun and making memories. When families enjoy being here, that’s when our jobs become transformative and become life-changing for generations.”
When a position opened in the Emanuel County Recreation Department, Hudson did not arrive by a traditional career path but rather experience built over time. After playing college baseball and later working in construction, banking, and small business leadership, Hudson remained plugged into athletics through coaching and organizing youth programs, including more than a decade leading an Upward basketball program at Hawhammock Baptist.
He joined the department under longtime Recreation Director Jerry Lawson, who retired in September after decades of service. Working alongside Lawson provided Hudson with firsthand experience in both the daily operations of the department and the responsibilities of long-term leadership, creating a natural transition when the director position became available.
“Mitchell walked in ready to work,” Lawson said. “He has a natural rapport with people, a love for recreation, and a leadership style that fits exactly where the county is headed. I knew he would move into this role seamlessly. It’s what actually gave me the confidence to retire. I knew the department would be in good hands.”
According to Hudson, though, it’s his predecessor who helped prepare him for the realities of leadership.
“He taught me that you’re not going to please everyone all the time,” Hudson said. “You make decisions based on what’s best for the department and the community as a whole, and you also learn how important it is to take care of yourself and your team along the way.”
District 1 Commissioner Kawame Coleman, who represents the board for most all things rec related and has spent years volunteering as a referee for county basketball and football, says Hudson’s leadership reflects a true understanding of recreation at every level.
“When you’re out here on the courts and the fields, you see how this line of work build kids’ confidence, gives families a chance to spend time together, and brings the community together,” Commissioner Coleman commented. “Mitchell understands that because he’s lived it, and I think he’s a great fit for the job.”
Several internal realignments followed Hudson’s promotion, aimed at strengthening leadership and expanding programming.
Deandra Coleman, the department’s longest-tenured office employee, now serves as assistant recreation director. Previously balancing roles as recreation clerk and athletic coordinator, Coleman brings years of institutional knowledge and firsthand experience with the department’s evolution.
So does Jimbo Brown. He ran a rec department in North Carolina for 20 years before onboarding around the same time as Hudson in late 2023 as a part-timer. With the shuffling, Brown is full-time program coordinator.
He essentially swapped roles with Eric Weber, who now serves as athletic coordinator. His main focus is organizing and scheduling the local youth leagues while continuing to grow all athletic endeavors.
Jennifer Canady rounds out the office team as recreation clerk, managing administrative operations, registrations, and concessions coordination.
“We genuinely enjoy working together,” Hudson said. “We really operate like a work family. That atmosphere of working together, supporting each other, and pulling in the same direction was something I wanted to protect.”
His assistant director says her new boss has done that.
“Any time there’s new leadership, you get a little nervous,” Coleman said. “I’ve worked under 3 recreation directors now, including Mitchell, and what stands out is how familiar everything feels. He didn’t come in and change everything. And he’s involved. He’s hands-on. He actually jumps in just like our other directors did and works alongside us, which is nice.”
And work hard they have. Hudson’s directorship started during a period of significant capital investments in county recreation.
Three major projects are underway: construction of a new collegiate-size pool adjacent to the splash pad, a comprehensive renovation of the softball complex, and upgrades to the gymnasium.
The pool is expected to support swim meets, lessons, lifeguard training, and recreational programming. Improvements at the softball complex include upgraded concessions and restrooms, new dugouts and fencing, enhanced drainage, expanded seating areas, and improved pedestrian flow. Gym renovations will add new offices, a hardwood court, LED lighting, expanded storage, additional activity rooms, and a new concession and restroom facility that will also serve the pool area.
“These upgrades are huge. We are so excited. They’re going to take our facilities from good to spectacular. When it’s all said and done, we’ll be the place other areas are looking at and saying, ‘Man! I wish we had that,’ or, ‘The rec department over in Emanuel, they got it going on!’ That’s how much of a difference these changes are going to make, and I hope it’s a point of pride for all of us.”
Managing active construction while continuing programs has not been without challenges, particularly during fall sports.
“It was stressful at times, no doubt,” Hudson said, “but we’ve worked hard to keep seasons going, even while construction is happening.”
Current projections indicate softball fields will be playable for spring sports with full completion of the complex anticipated by summer. The pool and gym renovations are also expected to reach completion by mid to late summer.
“I’ve always believed recreation is about more than sport,” Hudson said. “It’s about people and the place they make together. When you take care of that, everything else falls into place.”
When Hudson looks toward the future, his definition of success supersedes facilities or trophies. This is built on the back of a philosophy and practice (informally) adopted by the board of commissioners. When the county acquired the rec department a few years ago, programming was intentionally expanded to include non-traditional, passive activities in hopes of appealing to every generation.
“If kids want to sign up and play again next year, that’s success,” he said, “but if we also get someone out of their house for puzzle palooza or to learn to play chess and give them a sense of belonging in the process, that’s success, too.”
Most importantly, Hudson encourages people who may be hesitant to get involved to take the first step.
“You don’t have to be an expert, and your child doesn’t have to be, either,” he said. “Our programs are about learning, growing, and having fun together. Come give us a try!”
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