Bowling Green State University Athletics
Hills Named Head Coach at SUNY-Geneseo
June 01, 2001 | Ice Hockey
June 1, 2001
Geneseo, N.Y. - SUNY Geneseo is pleased to announce the hiring of Brian Hills as men's ice hockey coach. Hills replaces Paul Duffy, who retired with 358 wins after 26 years as the only coach in Geneseo hockey history.
A native of Windsor, Ontario, Hills comes to Geneseo after seven seasons as the assistant coach at Division I Bowling Green State University, where he participated in all aspects of the program in addition to his specialization in the development of the forwards and special teams.
Hills' previous coaching experience includes a stint as the co-coach of the Chur Elite Junior Team in Chur, Switzerland in 1986-87 and as goalie coach for Rapperswil in Switzerland from 1988-90. In addition, he has assisted with player evaluations for three summers at Team Canada's development camp.
Hills takes over a successful men's ice hockey program which has consistently finished in the upper echelon of the State University of New York Athletic Conference, reaching the semifinals of the conference championships the last four seasons. In addition, Geneseo won a SUNYAC championship in 1985-86, made their lone NCAA appearance in 1989-90 and has produced five All-Americans since 1990.
"I am looking forward to the opportunity at Geneseo," said Hills. "I hope to be able to elevate the program to the top of the SUNYAC and on to national prominence."
A 1983 graduate of Bowling Green, Hills was a two-time first team All-American and Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist and stands second in the Falcon recordbooks with 270 points and third in both goals (116) and assists (154). Hills holds the record for points in a season with 94 in 1982-83 and was named Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Player of the Year and a second team CoSIDA/GTE Academic All-American following that season.
Hills continued his playing career for 11 season in Europe and helped Team Canada to the Spengler Cup championships on three occasions.
In addition to his coaching duties, Hills will be responsible for the management of the Ira S. Wilson Ice Arena and will serve as the liaison to the Genesee Finger Lakes Youth Hockey organization, a position similar to one he held with the Bowling Green Youth Hockey Association.
"I am looking forward to working with Brian and have great confidence in his abilities to lead our program into this new era of Geneseo hockey," said Athletic Director Marilyn Moore.
Hills and his wife, Andrea, are the parents of two children, Alexandra (12) and Trevor (8).
