HAMBURG, N.Y. – The Athletics Department hosted its annual Athletic Awards Reception on Monday April 27th in the Swan Auditorium with Associate Vice President of Student Life | Director of Athletics Tim Seil serving as the primary emcee.

Lauren Gill, Chief Mission & Belonging Officer, shared an opening and impactful message to kick off the celebration. 
 
            "And so, we close in a spirit of thankfulness, for the journey, for the Hilbert community that surrounds these student-athletes, and for all the ways they continue to grow and inspire.

             As Francis of Assisi reminds us, "Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."

            May we carry that spirit forward with grateful hearts, celebrating not just what has been accomplished, but who these student-athletes are becoming."

Then Interim President Michael Cornell continued by thanking our student-athletes and coaches for their commitment and dedication to the college and athletics department with his observations and recognition that college sports develops the full person.
 

            "You learn the value of effort, discipline, and accountability. You learn what it means to be a great teammate - how to build relationships, earn trust, and support something bigger             than your own self-interest. You learn to uphold a standard of performance, even when things get tough - especially when they get tough.

            And you learn how to compete.

            Competing means showing up prepared every single day, ready to do your part. It means developing resilience - so when things don't go your way, you adjust, respond, and figure it             out.

            In the end, what defines you isn't wins or losses. It's your character, your capacity, and your commitment."

Brody Hopkins (Chafee, NY/Pioneer) served as this year's Student Speaker, and he did a fantastic job summarizing his experience as a student-athlete while sharing advice to his fellow classmates.
 
            "I would also like to thank Hilbert Athletics as a whole for giving all of us the opportunity to play sports for a few more years. When you are playing for Hilbert, you feel a sense of community because, no matter what sports team you are on, everyone pulls for each other to be successful. Whether we are coming out to support other teams, working the games, or even just hanging out with other student-athletes, Hilbert is a special place to play, and I am proud to have called it my home for four years."

        "Lastly, some advice I would give student-athletes is to not take this time for granted because it goes by way too fast. Embrace the challenge and give it 100% of your effort, no matter what your role is. These are special years of our lives that we will miss down the line, so enjoy them and make them count."

Drew Fittry, Assistant Athletics Director: Athletics Academic Success Coordinator, presented a snapshot of the department's academic achievements.
 
HIGH LIGHTS:

• 118 student-athletes named to the AMCC Academic All-Conference Team (3.2 gpa)
• 88 of the AMCC Academic All-Conference members were individual Peak Performers (3.5 gpa)
• And the Athletics Department also recognized student-athletes who were competing as non-AMCC athletes (football, women's hockey and men's lacrosse) who attained a 3.2 as well as a 3.5 gpa
• The 2025 Women's Bowling team earned highest gpa honors in the department
• 29 student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 gpa in the fall semester
• 27 new members were inducted into the New York Theta Chapter of the Chi Alpha Sigma National S-A Academic Honor Society. These new members joined the 24 current seniors who were inducted in April 2025

The athletic department will continue to announce honors and award winners over the next several weeks before we conclude the Awards ceremony recap when we celebrate our 2026 seniors.