David Jason Hilbert

Dave graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1988 and earned a master’s degree one year later at St. Thomas University (Fla.). He developed his first passion, sports information, at Michigan Tech as an intern and turned it into a 28-plus year career with stops at St. Thomas (2 years), Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (3 years), University of Chicago (19 years) and University of St. Francis, Ill. (5 years).

Following the work ethic of his father, Udo, Dave enjoyed going to work every day and was presented with a 25-Year Award for long-time service to the sports information profession in 2014 by the College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA). He was also named the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Sports Information Director of the Year in 2015.

His colleagues in the field described Dave as an outstanding SID and the consummate professional, with never an ego and the utmost kindness in assisting others, both new and old, in the trade. He never hesitated to share template designs of game notes or programs among other tools to make one successful in the field.

Dave was very talented, a five-tool player in the profession and beyond. He was always quick to adapt to the many changes in the sports information field through the years from hand to computer stats, weekly press releases to websites, fax machines to e-mail, film to digital photography and the additions of livestreaming and social media. He was the master of efficiency, as well.

Dave left the sports information profession and the Midwest in 2017 to take on new assignments in the communications field, settling in New Bern, North Carolina. His first stint came at East Carolina University as a marketing communications specialist for four years before transitioning to his current role as a website & social media coordinator for Marine Corps Community Services at MCAS Cherry Point in North Carolina beginning in 2020.

Throughout his 37-year professional career, Dave also developed his second passion, which was photography. Over the past ten years, he had freelanced in the areas of small college athletics, minor league baseball and obstacle course and road races, not to mention wildlife and landscape shoots. He was a member of the Professional Photographers of America organization and the Coastal Photo Club – New Bern.

Among his other passions were his dogs and cheering for his beloved Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers.

He also served in voluntary capacities with the Naperville Area Humane Society and as a North Carolina hurricane cleanup aide.

Dave is survived by his wife of 31 years, Susan (Hitchcock), a son, David, a sister, Lisa (Larry) Young, two brothers, Rick and Scott (Laura) and sister-in-law Linda Hitchcock, along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Udo, and mother, Lois, and a niece.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the CarolinaEast Foundation or the Colonial Capital Humane Society.

There are no services planned.