EDINBURG — Former UTRGV men’s basketball head coach Lew Hill’s sudden death sent shockwaves throughout the community almost two years ago. One day after coaching what would be his last game, Hill died Feb. 7, 2021, at the age of 55.
Though gone, Hill’s legacy will be forever cemented at UTRGV, with the university announcing a six-figure gift by former men’s basketball coach Lon Kruger and his wife, Barbara, to dedicate the entranceway of the UTRGV Fieldhouse as the Lew Hill Memorial Plaza on Wednesday.
The announcement of the Lew Hill Memorial Plaza made Aug. 10 coincides with what would have been the 16th wedding anniversary for Lew and Renee Hill.
“There are so many thoughts, so many emotions,” Renee Hill said. “First and foremost, what comes to mind is that it’s a magical day because it’s also Lewis and I’s anniversary today. For this announcement to be made today for the world to hear, it’s like him further saying he’s always with me. …
“This means more than just a monument or a name. It means all of the student-athletes and people who come here will feel his presence. They’ll feel his kindness, his gentle heart and just how he cared about people in general. Student-athletes, professors, administration, just everyone in general will be able to feel that little solace of peace and love he embarked on every single day.”
Hill worked alongside Kruger, who served as head coach at UTPA from 1982-86, for 12 years, with Hill spending time as part of Kruger’s staff during his tenure at UNLV (2004-11) and Oklahoma (2011-16).
From there, Kruger played a key role in getting Hill connected with UTRGV, where Hill took over as head coach in 2016 following a Final Four run by Oklahoma.
“I’m so happy and pleased for Renee and the family that Lew’s being recognized for the terrific person and coach that he was,” Kruger said. “I certainly appreciate UTRGV taking the steps to make this happen in memory of Lew.”
Hill spent the next five years as head coach of the Vaqueros. He led the team to a 20-win season in 2019, while also helping it capture its first NCAA Division I postseason victory.
During his final season, the Vaqueros went 8-4 under Hill before his death. His 67 career wins as a head coach rank fifth-best in program history.
He was honored posthumously as the 2021 Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, National Association of Basketball Coaches District 6 Co-Coach of the Year and the Colleginsider.com Skip Prosser Man of the Year.
Hill’s impact went beyond the hardwood, spearheading efforts to bring awareness to diabetes by hosting diabetes awareness nights during home games. He was also the first to sign up for UTRGV Athletics’ weekly story time series when launched last spring, reading alongside his daughter, Elle.
“Today is a celebration,” UTRGV men’s basketball head coach Matt Figger said. “We’re celebrating a great individual in Coach Hill. He’s one of the main reasons I took this job. He put credibility in this job. Every day I do this job I walk in his footsteps. I’m hoping he’s smiling down on me and the decisions I make.”
The Lew Hill Memorial Plaza is part of the upcoming renovations to the UTRGV Fieldhouse, which include $30 million of enhancements that were announced April 6.
Construction on the outside of the fieldhouse is expected to begin Spring 2023, with an expected completion in early 2025.
“This is going to be a true front porch. This is going to be a gateway, not just to this facility but really our university,” UTRGV Vice President and Director of Athletics Chasse Conque said. “The people that will walk through this plaza and into the atrium and the fieldhouse, obviously sports fans, but we host a lot of community and university events. So to be able to showcase this and have the Lew Hill legacy as such a big part of it, it’s going to make that grand opening and the grand debut that much more special.”
