2024 Hall of Honor Inductee: Hilton Woods

ROCHESTER, Mich - Hilton Woods has been inducted into the Hollie L. Lepley Hall of Honor as part of the class of 2024. Woods is one of the top swimmers of his time, bringing four consecutive team GLIAC Conference titles and four NCAA Division II runner-ups in his time at Oakland. As a three-time All-American, Woods has a decorated career in the pool, tallying over 14 total championship events (conference and national) where he finished in first place.

The Netherlands native burst onto the scene in his first year by dominating the 1988 GLIAC Conference Championship, winning the 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, and 400m Relay as a freshman.

In his amazing run at the national level, Woods took home the National Championship in the 50 Free three times (1988-90), the 200m Freestyle (1989), and the 100m Freestyle (1990). He was also part of relay teams that won National Titles in the 800m Freestyle Relay twice (1988 and 89) and 400m Freestyle Relay three times (1988-90).

"I really learned to set goals at Oakland… The coaches would set a goal, and I learned to do my absolute best to achieve the goal. I learned to apply goal setting and trying to better myself not just in the pool, but in my day-to-day life. Being the best I can be is something I learned in my time as a swimmer and student at Oakland", said Woods. "My favorite memory actually came in a loss to Michigan State. We were so close to beating them at home and it was such a team effort and we came up short, but it was such a great time. There's so many great meets where we broke records and won championships… I'd take just a conglomerate of all of them. It was a good time!"

His amazing resume of national and conference titles earned him NCAA Division II Swimmer of the year. Woods flourished in the pool internationally in addition to his amazing career as a Pioneer, winning a bronze in his signature race, the 50m Freestyle, at the 1987 Pan-American Games. He also swam for the Netherlands Antilles at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

"There's so many people I'd like to thank. Pete Hovland, Tracy Huth, the whole team really, I could go on and on. Really everyone who went through the triumph, the victories, and the losses together are the people I want to really express my gratitude towards. I appreciate everything that was done for me, it was really something wonderful," said Woods.

Woods will be honored at halftime during the Men's Basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m. against Cleveland State. This year's induction ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. after the game at the Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, MI.

Tickets for the ceremony can be purchased for $100 per person by clicking HERE.

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