-- New Hawks’ teams planned for gridiron, track, and rink -
HAMBURG, N.Y. – Hilbert College President Michael S. Brophy, Ph.D. announced the addition of three new sports – football, men’s and women’s track & field, and women’s ice hockey – to begin competition in fall 2022. The addition of these athletic programs advances the College’s strategic plan, Hilbert 2025, which calls for increased engagement, recruitment, and retention of student-athletes.
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“As outlined in our strategic plan, Hilbert has always intended to grow our athletic offerings,” Brophy said. “Given the current momentum around revitalizing our Hilbert campus and our tremendous community partners, we are energized to accelerate our planned athletics growth by one year.”
“On behalf of the Hilbert College Board of Trustees, we are thrilled to be announcing these new athletic programs,” said Laurie Boreanaz Carra ‘81, chair of the Hilbert College Board of Trustees. “Providing our students with these additional opportunities for growth in both mind and body aligns well with the College’s strategic plan and mission and will increase access to a Franciscan education for deserving students in our region who are interested in these sports.”
All three programs will become the second NCAA Division III programs of their kind in Erie County (Buffalo State College). The football program be one of 19 NCAA Division III teams in New York State, while women’s hockey becomes the 14th in the state. Women’s ice hockey will be one 67 programs competing for a National Championship, football will be one of 250, and men’s and women’s track and field one of over 300.
“We also recognize prospective college students and their families want these athletic offerings and many of them have the desire to continue competing at the collegiate level with the character-building education provided by a Franciscan institution,” Brophy added.
Hilbert has recently launched a capital campaign for a new NCAA Division III track and field complex, with an artificial turf field. The Hawks will compete in football and track & field at St. Francis High School while the campaign is on-going. Additionally, the women’s ice hockey program will practice and compete at the ice rink located at the Town of Hamburg Ice Arena on Lakeview Road.
The Hawks are still finalizing plans to join athletic conferences for these respective sports. Hilbert will remain in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) for the majority of their existing sports and in the United East (formerly NEAC) for men’s and women’s lacrosse.
Coaching searches are currently underway and Hilbert plans to announce its first football coach next week. More details are below.
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOOTBALL PRESS CONFERENCE
WHEN: Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Hilbert College Campus – Student Union and Welcome Center (Franciscan Hall); Main Atrium
5200 South Park Avenue, Hamburg, NY 14075
WHAT: Announcement of new football program and head coach
WHO: Hilbert President Dr. Michael S. Brophy; introduction of Hilbert’s first football coach; community and local football leaders (TBA).
Quotes from Community Leaders
Fr. Michael Sajda, OFM Conv.
President, St. Francis High School (former Chair, Hilbert College Board of Trustees)
I am extremely excited and joyful for Hilbert College as they commit to the expansion of their athletic programs. St. Francis High School and Hilbert College share a common heritage as Franciscan institutions and it is appropriate that we can help in some way.
Donna Ledwin
Commissioner, Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC)
Any time a member adds a sport, it strengthens the conference. Hilbert's choice of track and field opens the door to growth of a sport several other members have considered adding. While the AMCC does not sponsor football or women's ice hockey, these are certainly sports that can draw from a hot bed of high school and club team talent in Western New York and Southern Ontario. We are very excited to see Hilbert's commitment to expanding opportunities for NCAA Division III athletics participation in the region.
Martin C. Denecke
Director, Youth, Recreation & Senior Services, Town of Hamburg Recreation Department
The Town of Hamburg Recreation Department greatly appreciates that Dr. Brophy has reached out to us in an effort to renew reciprocal agreements between our department and Hilbert College for facility use. We are looking forward to hosting the Hawks at the Hamburg Town Arena when their new Women's Ice Hockey program takes to the ice in the 2022-23 season. As in the past, this partnership creates mutual benefits for both the school and the Hamburg communities. We are very pleased to be moving this relationship forward and to be expanding opportunities for women athletes. In addition, we know that having access to the newly enhanced softball/baseball diamonds and other venues on campus will bring great value to our own programming. Sharing these facilities with each other adds to the quality of life for all involved.
Hilbert College, located in suburban Hamburg, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is a private four-year college founded in 1957 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition. With nearly 800 students, Hilbert is a dynamic Western New York college that offers career-focused majors, including one of the top criminal justice programs in the region, and more than 50 minors and concentrations. The college’s engaging, student-centered campus community offers numerous leadership, internship, and service learning opportunities from which students launch successful careers while making positive changes in their communities. The Hilbert Blueprint promotes a well-rounded student experience over four years – starting with the Foundations Seminar in the freshman year, followed by Sophomore Service, Junior Symposium, and culminating with the Senior Capstone. Hilbert has expanded its academic offerings with the college’s first graduate programs in criminal justice administration and public administration, including a track in health administration.