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.