Tynes Hildebrand

Hildebrand has had a seven-decade affiliation with NSU as a two-sport athlete, head basketball coach, athletics director, AD emeritus and an NCAA regional basketball officials advisor.

Hildeband earned a bachelors and masters degree from Northwestern. He was head men’s basketball coach from 1965-1980 and director of placement from 1980-1983. He returned to the athletic program as athletic director from 1983-1996.

As men’s basketball coach, he led the Demons to the NAIA Playoffs for four consecutive years and won back-to-back conference championships in 1973-74 and 1974-75. He assisted with the training camp of the 1972 United States Olympic Team at the invitation of legendary coach Henry Iba. Hildebrand led the basketball program into Division I, taking the team through its first four seasons at the highest level of competition.

While serving as athletic director, he helped guide the Demon athletic program into the Gulf Star Conference and later the Southland Conference. Hildebrand was selected to serve on numerous NCAA committees including the Division 1-AA football selection panel. One of Hildebrand’s trademarks as athletic director was using interns to supplement a small administrative staff. Among those who began their professional careers as interns for Hildebrand at NSU include Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey and Greg Burke, who succeeded Hildebrand as NSU’s athletic director and served in the position for 25 years.

Hildebrand was named Mr. Louisiana Basketball in 1981 and is a member of the Louisiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the N Club Hall of Fame in 1985 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. The Southland Conference inducted him into its Hall of Honor in 1999.