Honor FIT Coach Hildebrand

Senate Resolution No. 5186 BY: Senator MONTGOMERY HONORING David Hildebrand upon the occasion of his designation as Coach of the Year by the Fashion Institute of Technology WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those individuals of outstanding character within the State of New York who are dedicated to developing character and sportsmanship in our collegiate athletes; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor David Hildebrand upon the occasion of his designation as Coach of the Year by the Fashion Institute of Technology; and WHEREAS, The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a State University of New York college of art and design, business and technology, offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in nearly 50 majors, many of which are unique to FIT; and WHEREAS, David Hildebrand was born and raised in Philadelphia, where he swam for the legendary coach Jim Ellis and the storied PDR swim team; and WHEREAS, In 2003, after four years of Division-I competition and a host of athletic and academic accolades, David Hildebrand graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from the College of William and Mary in Virginia; and WHEREAS, David Hildebrand is currently the coach of the Fashion Institute of Technology's Women's Swim Team, the Tigers; and WHEREAS, In March of 2018, for the first time in the program's ten-year history, the Tigers won the Northeast District and National championships; and WHEREAS, In addition, under the able leadership of David Hildebrand, the team won their second straight Most Improved Award, given to the team with the largest total points increase from the previous year's meet; and WHEREAS, In recognition of his accomplishments, David Hildebrand was honored by his peers and received the esteemed Coach of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, the third time in four years; and WHEREAS, A long-time instructor of the sport, David Hildebrand has taught countless children and adults to swim, and has coached age-group, collegiate, and masters-level athletes; and WHEREAS, In addition to his role as head coach of FIT's Women's Swim Team, David Hildebrand competes with, and coaches for, Team New York Aquatics, and is an instructor at Imagine Swimming; and WHEREAS, Off the deck, David Hildebrand is an author and a model; his first novel, Walking Marina, is an expose of the male modeling industry in New York, and a commentary on beauty; and WHEREAS, David Hildebrand has done a superb job in guiding, molding and inspiring his team members toward their goals; and WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and accomplishment, and David Hildebrand and his outstanding athletes have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of their school; and WHEREAS, David Hildebrand's positive demeanor, selfless commitment, and caring concern have contributed to his enduring success as a coach and mentor, earning him the just respect and admiration of his community, his peers, and the athletes he has so ably coached; and WHEREAS, With his unremitting commitment to the Fashion Institute of Technology's Women's Swim Team, David Hildebrand is the quintessential selection as Coach of the Year; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor David Hildebrand upon the occasion of his designation as Coach of the Year by the Fashion Institute of Technology; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to David Hildebrand.