HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Hilbert College Football team kicks off the 2023 season with a home-opening game against Union College this Saturday, September 2nd.
The Hawks (0-0) will face Union College (0-0) for the first time in program history.
Game Day Information
- Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. at St. Francis High School's Polian Family Field in Hamburg, N.Y.
- Gates open at 11:15 a.m. for fans.
- Admission is $5 - card and cash will be accepted.
- Student, staff and faculty admission is free with their Hilbert ID. Children 14 and under are also free.
The Hawks - Hilbert College enters its second year of college football as an Independent program led by first-year Head Coach Ted Egger. Egger arrives in Hamburg after serving the last three seasons as the Head Coach at Hocking College (Nelsonville, Ohio) where he implemented a daily regimen of strict team core values and a rigorous academia-driven study program for his players. The Hawks finished the 2022 season ranked No. 4 in the Division 3 NJCAA Final Poll. As a direct result of his efforts, those Hawks rose to a 98% graduation rate with an average team GPA of 3.1 over two seasons. Four different players, in 2022, led the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) as Individual Statistical Leaders. The Hilbert Hawks have worked hard on learning the new system and schemes under Egger's watch.
Hilbert will rely in a handful of returning players from the inaugural season to be leaders, and they have welcomed experienced transfers to the starting lineup which will bring energy and understanding to the field. Sophomore QB Brody Hopkins will direct the offense being run by Offensive Coordinator Dallas Tidwell and Defensive Coordinator Jonathan Johnson has shored-up the defense with toughness and discipline.
The Opponent – Union is entering the game under first year head coach Jon Poppe, who spent the last five seasons as a secondary and special teams coach at Harvard. He inherited a 6-4 team which competes in the Liberty League in the regular season.
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The Rest of the Way
Hilbert hits the road for their next two games. They will travel to Rochester, N.Y. for a September 9th game at St. John Fisher University (1:00 p.m.) and to Alfred, N.Y. for a 1:00 p.m. game against Alfred State College September 16th.
Hilbert returns to Hamburg for the 2:30 p.m. match-up against Endicott College (Iroquois High School) September 30th and will be featured as part of the TRUE BLUE weekend of events. The 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame Class will be introduced during the halftime celebrations.
The Hawks will travel to Washington, D.C. for an October 7th, 12:00 p.m. game at Gallaudet University and then play somewhat close to WNY when they battle at Hobart College (Geneva) October 14th at 1:00 p.m. The Royal and White will then compete at Buffalo State University, the only other Division III football program in WNY, October 21st in a 5:00 p.m. game under the lights.
The Hawks will conclude their 2023 season with a home game October 28th against Lyon College (ARK) at 12:00 p.m. back at St. Francis High School.
