“He was a very unique man.”
What better epitaph for Tynes Hildebrand than the words his wife Julia shared with her son Bruce just after her husband passed from this world into the big basketball court in the sky Sunday afternoon, July 28, following a relatively brief illness, at age 93.
Name somebody else who made impact for seven decades – yes, seven of them – on a university, on places like Sabine Parish, Natchitoches and Shreveport-Bossier, and on many more people and places in his travels through our state, this neck of the woods and the college sports world.
And I mean world. He and his dear friend Don Landry, coaching at Nicholls, were among the cornerstones of the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches and spearheaded international competition for all-star teams in the old Gulf States Conference and its successors 50-plus years ago.
“Coach Hildebrand” kept making the rounds, in his 15 years running the basketball program at his alma mater, Northwestern State. In 13 years as the transformational athletics director (1983-96) at Northwestern. And then for 18 years as an evaluator of college basketball officials, first in an assignment created for him by his protégé, Greg Sankey, then the young commissioner of the Southland Conference, now commissioner of all he surveys in major college sports, but specifically, the SEC.
Tynes Hildebrand was truly as remarkable, influential, and supportive a person as you would ever hope to encounter, for so many in such a variety of pathways — Northwestern was just the most prominent. Church, Kiwanis, LABC, other Natchitoches civic causes, then as a leader among residents of The Oaks in Shreveport, and there are more gardens of good he planted. All of it, he said, was a partnership with his wife of 72 years, his Florien High School sweetheart.
She wasn’t able to attend his funeral Sunday at First Baptist Church in Natchitoches. She was back where they’ve spent the last few years, near Bruce’s home in Flower Mound, Texas, but many friends from all over gathered for Coach’s sendoff, people like retired NCAA coordinator of basketball officials John Underwood, former Southland commissioner Tom Burnett, and quite a few of Hildebrand’s former players, including Mike Brey, now an Atlanta Hawks assistant coach after 23 years as head coach at Notre Dame.
The service was exactly what you’d hope – sweet, filled with humor, and with reverent celebration of faith. It was as if Hildebrand planned it, which he did. Picked the traditional hymns and Bible verses. Even wrote his own obituary. He knew the final buzzer sounds on us all.
Others, who couldn’t attend, shared memories on social media.
Larry Hymel, former Southeastern Louisiana sports information director: “I still remember his quote after the Demons didn’t do as predicted the previous year. At a press conference he said “Last year we were picked to be the team to beat, and everyone beat us.”
Tammy Broz Boclair, former media staffer at Stephen F. Austin, at Vanderbilt and with the Southland: “Such a wonderful man who was a mentor to so many! Loved spending time with him and soaking in his wisdom! Vividly remember sitting in his office and talking about an upcoming SLC basketball tournament. He told me in that beautiful drawl, ‘Tammy, you need to tell those people what I tell my coaches, don’t make your emergency, my emergency.’ – I still use that today!!!”
Don Worthington, former Alexandria Town Talk sportswriter: “The Sunday is still clear in my mind — Sam Goodwin’s Demon football team had upset Southern Mississippi (22-0, 1984) and I wanted to know more. My sports editor, Bill Carter, said phone him, but I thought I could sneak in a quick trip. When I arrived at NSU my car died in the athletic office parking lot.
“As I was pondering my options, Tynes drove up and I explained my dilemma.
“He threw me his car keys and I agreed to return his car Monday. I interviewed Sam and others, rushed back to Alex and hoped Bill was none the wiser.
“When I returned to Natchitoches Monday morning Tynes had already had my car towed to a mechanic and repairs were underway! I will never forget his kindness.”
Bob Tompkins, a colleague of Worthington’s, later Town Talk sports editor: “I remember you telling that story after it happened, Don, and have never forgotten it, either. Tynes was a good man, a righteous man, and I was among a countless number privileged to have him address me as ‘my friend.’”
Carlos Treadway, a rugged Demon tight end who has become president of Ford Credit Europe: “RIP Coach, it was an honor to be inducted into the Long Purple Line (NSU’s alumni hall of distinction) with you.”
Robert Noah, lifelong Natchitoches resident: “I remember going to the games with my dad in Coach Hildebrand’s early years and Dad told me one time, ‘that’s a tough coach but he’s a good coach!’ I met him once, I believe it was at a quarterback club meeting, his handshake, to me just being a kid at the time, was strong and firm like my dad’s. I pretty much modeled mine after his and my dad’s. Coach Hildebrand left a lasting impression on those he met.”
Collin Killian, retired Texas A&M basketball publicist: “Sorry to hear this. Coach was a remarkable human who impacted so many lives. I was privileged to get to know him and Julia when he would observe A&M games. She’d find a quiet corner in the arena (those were ample not too long ago) and spend most of the game immersed in a book. He was always a gentleman and loved sharing interesting stories. A life well lived!”
Right out of college, Hildebrand worked on an Army base involved in atomic energy research during the Korean Conflict. He was honored as the top commissioned officer one year. That experience provided him with a familiar line that often started meetings he’d convened.
It seems ideal to wrap up this tribute. Because Tynes Hildebrand finally truly is, “at ease.”
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com