Before There Was a Building

Featuring Rusty Hudson

As part of the Washington County Family YMCA’s #YCON series, we celebrate the people who have helped shape our YMCA over the past 25 years. These are the individuals whose dedication, leadership, and belief in our mission have helped create the place our community calls home.

For Rusty Hudson, the YMCA story started with a simple invitation from his wife.

Rusty shares that his wife Jeannie was a YMCA member long before he was. She often told him about the Y and encouraged him to come see it for himself. Eventually he gave it a try and it quickly became part of his life.

“I went one time and never looked back,” Rusty says.

Since retiring eight years ago, Rusty has been a familiar face at the YMCA, often visiting six to seven days each week. Many members recognize him for another reason too. Rusty is known for his daily time on the Stair Mill machine, where he has built an impressive routine and commitment to fitness.

Last year during the YMCA’s Annual Campaign, Rusty even completed the equivalent of a climb up Mount Everest on the Stair Mill to help bring attention to the campaign and encourage community support.

Rusty’s involvement with the YMCA goes far beyond his workouts. His leadership and financial expertise have played an important role in strengthening the organization over the years.

Rusty first served on the YMCA Board of Directors from 2013 to 2016. After retiring from his career, he returned to board leadership in 2018 and continues to serve today as the President of the YMCA Board of Directors. Throughout much of his time on the board, Rusty has served as Board Treasurer, generously sharing his financial knowledge from his career as a Chief Financial Officer at LG&E.

His steady leadership and financial insight have helped guide the YMCA through important years of growth and planning.

One memory that still makes Rusty smile happened early one morning at the Y.

Rusty remembers standing outside the building at 5:00 a.m. with longtime member Jack Etzler, who was close to 90 years old at the time. Jack was known for arriving right when the doors opened every morning. On this particular day, the front desk staff member had accidentally overslept.

“So there we were,” Rusty recalls, “standing outside the Y at 5:00 in the morning waiting for it to open.”

The moment perfectly captured the spirit of the YMCA community. Even before the doors opened, people were already there, ready to start their day together.

One of the moments Rusty felt especially proud of the YMCA came in December 2024 during a regional meeting in New Albany. That day, the Washington County Family YMCA was awarded a $1.7 million READI II grant to help build the new childcare facility.

Rusty remembers feeling immense pride in the moment.

“I was so proud of Kristy and Stevie Motsinger for their leadership, and proud of our Y for making it happen.”

Today, that vision is becoming reality as the YMCA prepares to break ground on a project that will include both a childcare center and a new indoor gymnasium space to serve families across Washington County.

Rusty says one of the things that continues to inspire him most is seeing young people using the Y.

“When I go into the Y in the late afternoon, I’m amazed at how many young people, high school and those in their twenties, are in the weight room working out.”

For Rusty, it is a powerful reminder that the YMCA is helping shape healthier habits and stronger futures for the next generation.

When asked what he would say to someone considering joining the Washington County Family YMCA, Rusty’s message is simple and welcoming.

“We are a big tent. There is room for everyone. You will feel so much better about yourself and your family.”

Rusty Hudson’s story reflects what the YMCA is all about. Commitment, leadership, community, and showing up every day to help make this place stronger for everyone.

Because of leaders like Rusty, there truly is no place like this place.