Trevor Stark always knew he wanted to be a coach or at least stay involved in the game of basketball after earning his degree from Hilbert College. He never imagined where basketball was going to take him, yet now sees he is exactly where he is supposed to be.
Stark graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Marketing in May 2015 after he completed a four-year basketball career wearing the royal and white. He appeared in all 27 games and averaged 10 minutes a contest his rookie season but then exploded into a dependable all-conference veteran his final two seasons as a starter who averaged 30+ minutes a game.
The Queens, NY (Robert F. Kennedy) product developed over the years into a fierce competitor, leading the Hawks to three consecutive 20-win seasons, and back-to-back appearances in the AMCC title game, a first for any Hilbert program.
Stark was a four-time AMCC Academic All-Conference selection, was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma National Student-Athlete Academic Honor Society and was a two-time NABC Honors Court selection. As much as he excelled in the classroom, he shined on the hardwood.
Stark was a 2014 AMCC First Team and a 2015 AMCC Second Team All-Conference selection while also being named a First Team All-American by the Jewish Sports Review both seasons. The 5'11 southpaw graduated as the men's basketball program's 11th 1,000-point scorer, the all-time leader in free throw percentage (.847), and games played (109) with career averages of 11.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3,78 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.
After graduation, Stark played overseas for three seasons in Israel which was a dream come true for him. His double-digit career scoring average concluded with a 15 point, five assist and four rebounds per contest effort for the Hapoel Maboaim team. Being in Israel and playing at a higher level of competition was an experience which guides his every move as an educator back stateside.
Stark combined his undergraduate experiences as a student and athlete with his professional success overseas in a country where English wasn’t the first language into a career that gives him his greatest pleasure.
He is the Boys Director and oversees all the coaches and trainers for the Level Up AAU program based on Long Island, New York. After four years in the business, Stark never imagined he would be a trainer developing young minds and bodies. He always knew he wanted to coach but he found a niche where he is able to pair his passion for player development and his knowledge of the game with a leadership position within a larger organization. Stark continues to help as many players as possible, from beginners to pro athletes.
“Some of my favorite memories while at Hilbert were cutting down the nets after winning the regular season title, finishing my career ranked in the program’s all time lists, and scoring a career high 37 points in a playoff game against Pitt-Bradford while delivering a program-record 15 assists in a game against Medaille,” said Stark. “Those are opportunities I want other young kids to have, memories and experiences. If I can help to develop good coaches and continue to provide a solid foundation to young athletes from which they can build from, then I feel like I have started a process that only they can complete.”
The Distinguished Alumni Series is part of the AMCC's 25th anniversary where the conference will be recognizing former AMCC student-athletes who have excelled in their area of study. The Distinguished Alumni Series will run every Thursday throughout the academic year.