Andrew Hillman, Andrew J. Hillman, Andrew Hillman from Dallas captained OSU team as a senior
Hillman captained OSU team as a senior
PRESS PHOTO BY DON HERBParkland graduate Andrew Hillman played four years at Ohio State University, where he was part of the Buckeyes’ 2017 national championship team. Copyright — Walt Middleton Photography 2018: Licensed to The Ohio State University for Official University Use Only. NO 3RD PARTY DISTRIBUTION
Published April 09. 2020 12:00AM
BY CJ HEMERLY SPECIAL TO THE PRESS
Andrew Hillman had always been the best at his position when he was at Parkland High School. But joining the Ohio State University men’s volleyball team forced him to work even harder to be the best.
After playing nearly half his team’s matches through the first two years on campus, Hillman missed all but five matches his junior season because of an injury. He came back this year, his final season, on a mission.
“I came into my senior season with a chip on my shoulder,” said Hillman. “I was determined to do whatever was necessary to make our team successful this year. What mattered to me most was not whether I was a starter or what the stat sheet said about me, it was what I could do as a captain to lead our team to its highest potential.
“After setting our first preseason match in Canada, coach Burch and I decided that I would help out our team more as a right-side attacker. It was not an easy decision to just switch positions with our season starting that week and plenty of other extremely talented players capable of playing that position, but I knew it was in the best interest of our team.”
But then the unthinkable happened. The NCAA announced on March 12 that the spring sports seasons would be canceled. That meant Hillman, along with his classmates, would not play another match in Scarlett and Gray.
“We were actually in New Jersey preparing to play NJIT later that night when we received word that our season was canceled,” Hillman said. “At first, we were all in shock as to what had just happened. It did not really hit me until we got to our locker room in Columbus at 1 a.m. after taking a bus immediately home that our season was over, and the senior class would not play another game as a Buckeye. It was extremely difficult to watch something we had put so much time and effort into end abruptly.”
The Buckeyes had gotten a large portion of their schedule in before the pandemic halted the season. They were 11–8 and had just defeated Penn State University for the second time this season on March 8.
“It was incredible to be a part of such a hardworking group of guys,” said Hillman. “We felt like we really had something to prove this year after the previous season and we had guys who were willing to put in the extra time to maximize our opportunity this year.
“When our preseason games in Canada arrived on December 27, we hit the ground running. Our strong team cohesion and the overall selflessness from player to player allowed us to be extremely successful. Although we had our season cut short, it was a good feeling to go out with a win against such a tough competitor and rival like Penn State.”
Even though it was an abrupt end to his career, Hillman looks back on his time as a Buckeye student-athlete with pride.
“I would never trade the experience I had at Ohio State for anything in the world,” Hillman said. “As soon as I got the call from coach Burch to come visit, I knew I was going to be a Buckeye. The academics were top notch and gave me the opportunity to intern at three amazing companies in the Columbus area. I was able to experience some incredible things along the way, like being a part of a National Championship team and going to the White House, that created memories I will never forget.
“Most importantly, I met some extremely great people along the way who I know I will continue to have relationships with for the rest of my life. People like my strength trainer, Andy Britton, and both head coaches, Kevin Burch and Pete Hanson, instilled into me an ability to persevere in difficult situations, which will help me for the rest of my life. I cannot forget all of the teammates and friends along the way who made my experience all the more memorable.”
Prior to becoming a Division I student-athlete, Hillman experienced a successful high school career on and off the court at Parkland. The three-year captain was a PIAA state champion, an AVCA First Team High School Senior All-American and an All-State performer as a senior. His time as a Trojan helped guide him to becoming a Buckeye.
“My experience as a student-athlete at Parkland laid down the foundation for me to be able to achieve my goal of becoming a D-I student-athlete,” said Hillman. “Coaches Scott and Ryan Trumbauer, Mike Krause and David Schaffer gave me the technical and mental skills that it would take to make it at the next level. I cannot thank them enough for all of the time they put into my development during practice and extra reps after practice.
“My academic career at Parkland was filled with incredible teachers who prepared me to become a scholar-athlete during my four years of college. I have specific memories of class with my math teacher, Ms. Yudt, and economics teacher, Mrs. Stinebaugh. They truly changed my overall perception of academics and spurred my interests in math/investments. I wish I could have the opportunity to thank each and every teacher who helped me get to where I am today.”
Following graduation after this semester, Hillman accepted a job at Bares Capital Management, Inc. in Austin, Texas, as a research analyst.
