Mark and Kym Hilinski started their foundation in 2018. They knew the broad objectives—mental health education, awareness and stigma reduction for college athletes—and figured they would figure the rest out along the way.
Neither ever expected Hilinski’s Hope to become what it has become. They continue to travel the country, speaking to administrators, coaches and athletes. Each time, they deliver another version of their Tyler Talks. They’ve now given more than 300 of those, speaking directly to more than 78,000 college athletes. Those, like their son, Tyler, who played quarterback at Washington State and died by suicide in Jan. 2018.
