Ed Hilton described as a foundational figure in P.E.I.

Former athletic director and coach posthumously inducted into P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame

The late Ed Hilton made things happen and simply got results. That’s the view of the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame, which inducted the builder posthumously on July 11. “Ed Hilton was a foundational figure in the history of SDU-UPEI athletics, serving as a legendary football coach, basketball coach and (UPEI’s) athletic director,” said former longtime UPEI basketball coach George Morrison, who read Hilton’s citation during the induction ceremony.

“Ed was the architect of modern university sport on P.E.I. “From the time he stepped onto Saint Dunstan’s University campus as football coach in the fall of 1960 to his retirement as athletic director of UPEI in 1991, Ed was instrumental in establishing the university as the centre of elite Island sport.” The ceremony, which also included the enshrinement of Colin MacAdam and the late Vernon Frizzell, attracted a big crowd at the Wanda Wyatt Dining Hall at UPEI in Charlottetown. “The impact that he has had on his players; on his community; province (of) Prince Edward Island really cannot be overstated,” said Hilton’s grandson, Luke Thompson.

“We all are humbled to be Ed Hilton’s grandchildren, his family, his son-in-laws, his daughter-in-laws. He was a titan of a man. “Thank you to have everyone who was helping keep his memory alive in his honour.

It means more to our family than words can express. And we know he would be incredibly proud!” Combined role Morrison, a 2011 inductee into the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame as a builder and coach, said Hilton, who died in 2003, excelled in the sports field.

Hilton, described as a master recruiter who stressed camaraderie, a team-first attitude and a relentless work ethic, arrived at SDU in August 1960 to coach football and basketball. From 1963 to 1969, Hilton served as SDU athletic director, football and basketball coach. “A workload that in reality couldn’t be accomplished by one person today,” said Morrison.

When SDU and Prince of Wales College merged in 1969 to form UPEI, Hilton was appointed UPEI’s athletic director. Hilton, the 1973-74 AUAA (now AUS) and CIAU (now U Sports) football coach of the year, gave up coaching basketball in 1969 but continued coaching football UPEI dropped the program in 1978. Hilton led the Panthers to the Atlantic championship game in 1973, losing to Saint Mary’s.

“He accomplished this by working with a Panther team that had only 35 players try out for the team,” said Morrison. “We can honestly say Ed coached Panthers’ football in its heyday in the 1970s.” Championships As athletic director in the 1980s, the UPEI Panthers won 14 Atlantic championships under Hilton’s leadership, including a period in the mid-’80s when four UPEI teams won three AUS championships each – men’s and women’s basketball; men’s hockey, and men’s soccer.

Morrison added UPEI basketball teams also lost in two title games during that run by a combined total of five points. “I believe it can be truly said that Ed Hilton was instrumental in establishing SDU/UPEI Athletics as a force in Canadian university sports,” said Morrison, who pointed out Hilton did all this working out of a basement office in old Alumni Gym with only a part-time secretary. Alumni Gym is the former home of the UPEI basketball and volleyball teams.

“To the best of my knowledge, there were no full-time coaching staffs (at UPEI),” said Morrison. “Quite a feat considering today even UPEI, which is probably still considered a small athletic department, has several full-time staff and several full-time coaches.” Morrison added Hilton was a driving force behind the construction of the UPEI Sports Centre, home to the women’s and men’s basketball teams and provides a training facility for all Panthers’ teams and athletes.

Morrison said an example of the respect Hilton earned is the number of players who stayed in touch with him over the years and sought him out for visits. Morrison coached basketball at UPEI for 22 years, 14 with Hilton as athletic director. Morrison said Hilton always provided 100-per-cent support.

“Ed was a coach’s athletic director – not a university/administrator’s athletic director,” said Morrison. “A university coach cannot make any more important statement about their athletic director than what I just made.” Provided opportunities Morrison said, despite a gruff exterior, Ed was a passionate advocate for the less fortunate and individuals facing disabilities and challenges.

Morrison added Ed would invite those individuals into supporting roles with the athletic department. “In so doing, vastly enriching both their lives and the lives of all the athletes,” said Morrison. Melissa Hilton, the seventh of Ed and Anne Hilton’s 12 children, has many fond memories of her father leading UPEI teams.

“They talked about the golden era (of football), and they talked about the ’80s, and we had the old Alumni Gymnasium,” said Melissa. “No other teams liked to go play there because the seats were right on the court and I remember being there in the excitement. “I was there for the excitement with football; I was there for the excitement with hockey, soccer, you name it.

He had us front and centre, as well, appreciating the love of sport. We were there, and we saw his enthusiasm; his excitement; disappointment when he didn’t win. “But, at the end of the day, he did everything he possibly could to get the best out of all the athletes and coaches.”

Led by example And while Ed demanded a strong work ethic from his players and coaches, he also practised what he preached. “His schedule was he was up at five in the morning,” said Melissa. “A lot of people didn’t even realize he was a member of Belvedere (Golf Club) because he and his work buddies would actually go out golfing (early in the morning).

“They would be the first ones and yet he would still make it to the office for eight o’clock. A lot of people at the club didn’t even know that they were members because they were there so very early in the day.” Family man But as loyal as Ed was to his job, athletes and coaches, Ed’s granddaughters, Nicole Gallant and Robyn Gallant, talked about his family commitment.

“Eddie wore many hats and had many titles – grandfather of 13; father of 12; loving husband of one; coach to many, and friend to all the fortunate to have known him and be loved by him,” said Nicole. “It is lovely to hear about all of Eddie’s accolades, but we also know that he would not want us to be standing up here and accepting this great honour without mentioning those who helped him achieve it all and were right by his side for the entire journey – our beautiful (late) grandmother, Anne, and their crazy, wonderful family of 12 children.”

Robyn added Ed’s passion for sports and dedication to the community continues to inspire the Hilton family every day. “We know, without a doubt, he would have been front row and centre for every one of our milestones, and it is so special that we get to be here today – front row and centre – to celebrate him.” Melissa shared a story to illustrate Ed’s family values.

“When I was an infant, and he would go away on road trips, I wouldn’t eat until dad was home,” said Melissa. “Dad would get home late at night, and he would sit up, and he would feed me. “There was the commitment to the family; there was the commitment to his work, and he expected so much of everybody that he worked with, and the athletes.

And they respected him for that as well.” Melissa said Ed would have been honoured with the induction ceremony. “He loved winning; he loved his championships, but to be part of this today – and I’m looking at him there and he was very tall... he would be so pleased to think that all the hard work that he did has carried on, and he’s being recognized today,” said Melissa.

“You can’t ask for better recognition than being inducted into the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame.”