Tom Hilbert Named 2008 Florida Dairy Farmers Baseball Coach-of-the-Year
Dunedin High School baseball coach Tom Hilbert has been named the 2008 Florida Dairy Farmers Baseball Coach-of-the-Year.
Hilbert is the 16th winner of the annual award, sponsored by Florida Dairy Farmers, Inc. and the Florida Athletic Coaches Association. A statewide panel of high school baseball coaches and prep media representatives voted on the award honoring the top high school coach for the 2008 season.
In his 14th year as a head coach, Hilbert led his team to a 25-6 record and won the Class 5A state title. In his 11 years at Dunedin, Coach Hilbert’s teams have won seven district titles, made two Final Four appearances and won one state title (2008). He has a record of 257-64 at Dunedin and a career record of 306-130.
Hilbert, who was earlier chosen as the Class 5A Coach-of-the-Year, finished ahead of Class 1A Coach-of-the-Year Gil Morales of Jacksonville Eagles View as well as winners from the four other state classifications. Tommy Edwards of Jacksonville Bishop Kenny, the Class 4A Coach-of-the-Year and Larry Greenstein of Lake Worth Park Vista (Class 6A) finished tied for third followed by Mac Mackiewitz of Jacksonville Providence (Class 2A) and Mike Easom of Fort Pierce John Carroll (Class 3A).
The Florida Dairy Farmers Sports Awards program exemplifies Dairy Farmers Inc.'s commitment to the state's youth. While honoring the state's top athletes and coaches in all 24 FHSAA-sanctioned sports, the program also emphasizes to young people the importance of keeping dairy products a primary part of their diet in their overall nutrition plan.
Florida Dairy Farmers Baseball Coach-of-the-Year Winners
1993 – Clyde Metcalf, Sarasota
1994 – John Crumbley, Tampa Jesuit
1995 – John Carpenter, Lakeland Santa Fe
1996 – Rich Hoffman, Miami Westminster
1997 – John Crumbley, Tampa Jesuit
1998 – Howard May, Terry Parker
1999 – Scott Benedict, Wellington
2000 – Bob West, Bishop Kenny
2001 – Fred Burnside, Miami Southridge
2002 – Fred Burnside, Miami Southridge
2003 – John Crumbley, Tampa Jesuit
2004 – Pat McQuaid, Davie Nova
2005 – Ralph Henriquez, Key West
2006 – Scott Benedict, Palm Beach Central
2007 – Dave Wheeler, Orlando Bishop Moore
2008 – Tom Hilbert, Dunedin
