Hiltunen Recognized For Service

May 10, 2004 - Averett Athletic Director Vesa Hiltunen was recently honored for his service to the USA South Athletic Conference.  At the semi-annual Athletic Directors Meeting held last week in Richmond, he was presented a plaque in appreciation of service and dedication to the Conference.  Hiltunen announced in January that he will be resigning from his current position at AU, effective June 30.  He will stay on at the University in an international recruiting position. 

Hiltunen has been at Averett since 1976, when he came on as head coach of both men's soccer and tennis.  He then became Athletic Director in 1981.  He remained soccer coach until 1989 and still serves as head coach of the tennis team.  Hiltunen oversees 15 full-time employees and 14 intercollegiate sports teams and their budgets.  When he accepted the position, Averett fielded only six athletic teams without a recruiting budget.  Hiltunen was instrumental in the growth of Cougar athletics as he more than doubled the number of sports offered by the university.  Under Hiltunen, Averett added eight athletic programs, which include women's soccer, women's volleyball, softball, men's and women's cross-country, baseball, football, and women's lacrosse.  Today there are more than 250 student-athletes that compete for the Blue and Gold.  Averett announced on April 26 that Charles Harris will replace Hiltunen as Athletic Director.