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.