Coaches have come and gone at UofL. However, one man has been the backbone of the University of Louisville Athletics program for 20 years. Fred Hina has had a successful career in Cardinal Athletics as the Head Men’s Athletic Trainer for the men’s basketball program and then as the Director of Sports Medicine for the entire athletic department. Now, he rides off into the sunset as one of the most influential figures in Cardinal Athletics. Hina announced his retirement effective at the end of June.
“What he did for student-athletes and the men’s basketball program cannot be understated. He is a die-hard Cardinal and has given every ounce of his being to this place.” – @CoachChrisMackhttps://t.co/hTUOhal4pz
— Louisville Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) April 6, 2021
Hina arrived at UofL in 2001 after a career as the head athletic trainer for Major League Baseball’s New York Mets. He was brought in as the Head Men’s Athletic Trainer for the men’s basketball program. Eventually, Hina became the Director of Sports Medicine for the entire athletic department. For 20 years, he has been a fixture in the men’s basketball program, making sure the student-athletes are healthy and, when not, helping them to rehab and recover. For the last 8 years, Hina has made sure athletes from all UofL sports are healthy and in top condition.
Fred Hina is a name any Louisville fan has heard. Usually, it was due to some unfortunate circumstances for a particular athletes. However, he deserves all the recognition he has gotten today because all the athletes that have come through the UofL men’s basketball program the last 20 years and all the athletes that have come through the UofL athletic department the last 8 years have all had their health, wellness, and conditioning managed by Fred Hina.
Congrats to Fred Hina on his well-deserved retirement. If anyone has earned it, it’s Mr. Hina.
To read more about Fred Hina’s career and what men’s basketball head coach Chris Mack had to say about him, check out UofL’s press release below:
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT:
Fred Hina Retires After 20 Years With UofL Basketball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Fred Hina, who has served as Head Men’s Athletic Trainer for the University of Louisville men’s basketball team for the last 20 years and the last eight as Director of Sports Medicine for the Cardinals, has announced his retirement effective the end of June.
“Congratulations to Fred on a spectacular career,” said UofL Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Mack. “We are certainly going to miss him on a daily basis. What he did for student-athletes and the men’s basketball program cannot be understated. He is a die-hard Cardinal and has given every ounce of his being to this place. Our players will miss his care, his knowledge but most importantly his friendship. Thanks to Fred for everything.”
Hina (pronounced HEE-nuh) managed the entire UofL Athletics sports medicine department for several years and currently assists Senior Director of Sports Medicine Matt Summers in that oversight.
Since joining UofL in May 2001, Hina has been a part of successful men’s basketball teams each season, as the Cardinals achieved a 495-185 record on the court (.728) with multiple NCAA appearances and conference titles over the last 20 years.
Prior to his arrival at UofL, he spent 15 years as an athletic trainer in the New York Mets organization, including the last seven years as head athletic trainer for the major league team in New York.
The Mets reached two league championship series while Hina was with the Mets. The Mets lost in six games in the National League Championship Series in 1999 before advancing to the World Series the following year, falling in five games to the New York Yankees in the 2000 “Subway Series.”
Hina was honored as the minor league trainer of the year in 1994. He was the National League training representative to the Triple-A All-Star game in 1994 and was the trainer for the Florida State League All-Star game in 1989.
He is a 1987 graduate of Western Kentucky with a degree in health care administration and a 2004 graduate of the University of Alabama with a Master’s of Arts Degree in health studies.
Hina is a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers Association as well as the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He and his wife Gina have three sons: Jared, Justin and Jacob.
