Part of the Family: Hilinski's bring message of hope to Sand Sharks

10/24/2024 2:32:00 PM | By: Brackin Lambert

BLUFFTON -- Warm embraces and messages of thanks echoed throughout the USCB Rec Center after Hilinski's Hope wrapped up their sixth visit to the Lowcountry Wednesday night.

"This is an event that we look forward to every year," said Director of Athletics Quin Monahahn. "Even though its an incredibly difficult story, it is one that is really important for our student-athletes to hear."

Mark and Kym Hilinski have traveled around the country to tell "Tyler's Story" more than 350 times to student-athletes across 250 different schools. "We lost Tyler, and we don't want anyone else to go through what we have been through," Mark said to Forbes back in September. "We want to make sure every student-athlete knows it's okay not to be okay, and it's okay to ask for help."

Tyler Hilinski tragically took his own life in January 2018. The search for the "why" is still on going, but another word has come from this unimaginable situation; Hope. Hilinski's Hope.

The Hilinski's Hope Foundation or H3H started in 2018 to honor the life of Tyler and it is the goal of Mark and Kym to end the negativity around mental health within the world of college athletics, to advocate and educate about mental illness, and to provide student-athletes and their universities the tools to support their mental health and wellness. Earlier this month, H3H kicked off its fifth annual Student-Athlete Mental Health Awareness Week and continued the pursuit of breaking the stigma around mental health.

USCB is one of only a handful of universities the Hilinski's have visited more than once and with every visit a new group of Sand Sharks hear Tyler's story which leaves an immediate impact, even for those who have heard it three or four times.

"We miss Tyler every day, but we are grateful to know that our work is making a difference," Kym said prior to the start of Student-Athete Mental Health Awareness Week. "Thank you to each person who has joined us over the last five years, not only for spreading awareness but carrying on Tyler's name and legacy. He will live on through your continued support each time a student athlete takes a field, rink, or track."

There is always HELP. There is always HOPE.

2024 Hilinski's Hope (2)

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