Robert Hilson

Brock’s new director of Athletics will be Robert Hilson, a manager and administrator who has worked extensively in the Canadian amateur sport and recreation sectors, including at the university level.

Currently the communications manager in the University of Western Ontario’s Department of Sport and Recreation Services, Hilson will start his new position on May 30. He takes over from Chris Critelli, who stepped in as acting director of Athletics last summer when Lorne Adams left the office to return to teaching.

Hilson brings nearly 20 years of experience in amateur sport, much of it in post-secondary education. Before joining Western in 2010, he spent 12 years in various roles at McMaster University’s Department of Athletics and Recreation, including as manager of Marketing and Media Relations and also as manager of Marketing and Alumni Advancement.

Prior to that he worked as a communications co-ordinator for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and as manager of provincial competitions for Basketball Ontario.

“I am extremely happy to be joining the Brock team,” said Hilson. “They have some great individuals who have given Brock a national reputation in university athletics, and I look forward to working alongside them to keep making that reputation even stronger.”

In making the announcement, Steven Pillar, Brock’s Vice-President of Finance and Administration, also expressed the University’s appreciation to Critelli, who will return to her position as assistant director of Athletics after overseeing Brock Athletics for most of the past year.

“It has been Chris’s ability to keep the team on course that gave us time to conduct a national search for a permanent candidate,” said Pillar, “and for that dedicated help, we are indeed grateful.”

Hilson can be reached immediately at rhilson@brocku.ca