Fresno State Athletics
Forever a Bulldog
8/24/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 24, 2011
10 DAYS UNTIL BULLDOG FOOTBALL:
FRESNO, Calif. - When Fresno State alum Tony Hill ('03) got the call to return to his alma mater as head football athletic trainer, there was no hesitation. He is now entering his fourth season with the Bulldogs and is also responsible for baseball.
"My heart was always set on athletic training," said Hill. "I've always liked being on the field. I like the outdoors. I like being active; to get a chance to get out and be a part of the team and be out on a field."
A native of Salinas, Calif., Hill began his career in the Fresno State sports medicine office as an undergraduate in 2001.
"The famous 2001 season with David Carr," added Hill. "We were 8-0, No. 8 in the nation. That was my first year working in the program. "
Hill spent his first post-graduate year interning at the University of Florida. He was then accepted into the University of Kentucky's graduate school where, after earning his master's in 2006, he became an assistant athletic trainer at the University of Texas working with football and track and field. When an assistant athletic training position opened at Cal in 2007, Hill jumped at the opportunity to move back to California. It would be less than a year before he was offered his current position and accepted it.
"I played sports all my life," stated Hill. "That is obviously where I got the love of football and a love of team sports."
An athlete from a young age competing in soccer, baseball, football, basketball and karate, Hill was a two-sport student-athlete in high school. He was the point guard of his basketball team and saw time at receiver and corner in football. Now responsible for the well being of the Fresno State football and baseball programs, Hill watches over nearly 150 student-athletes.
"We are a very vital support system to the student-athlete," he added. "My job basically entails the health and welfare of a student-athlete or an athletic population. Not just orthopedic, but mental, psychological and nutrition is a big part of it. You want to see kids every year who end up getting great jobs, make careers for themselves and become successful. And if you can have a little part in that kid who was not on the right path when he got here, but when he left, he matured and became a great individual, that's what everyone wants around here. "
Fun Facts on Tony Hill
Hometown: Salinas, Calif.
Favorite color: "Blue."
Favorite movie: "Any of the Star Wars movies. I take that back. The Empire Strikes Back. Me and senior Devon Wylie are pretty big Star Wars fans."
Favorite animal: "Dogs. Big dog fan."
Favorite pizza: "Any pizza would be good. I guess my dislike would be pineapple. I'm not a big Hawaiian pizza guy. Any other pizza would be good."
Favorite food: Chocolate gravy on pancakes. If you haven't tried it, don't knock it 'til you try it. It's delicious, but it's an Arkansas thing. I'd never heard of it before I went there."
"We Are Your Team!"- The Fresno State Bulldogs open their 2011 season against the California Golden Bears at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sept. 3, 2011. Tickets are available through the Bulldog Ticket Office by calling 559-278-3647 or visiting www.gobulldogs.com. You can always stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@FSAthletics).
