SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.— After 552 wins over 27 years, Skidmore volleyball coach Hilda Arrechea and her husband and assistant coach Jerry Rodriguez have announced that they will retire at the end of the academic year.
 
Arrechea leaves an impressive legacy that includes a career record of 552-339, four league championships, eight NCAA Division III tournament appearances and four Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year awards. She has 21 winning seasons, including nine years of 25 or more wins and a school-record 38 wins in 2000.
 
"Hilda has been the face of Skidmore Volleyball since 1995 and it is challenging to fully describe what Hilda has meant to the overall success of the program," said Skidmore Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of Athletics Gail Cummings-Danson. "It has truly been a family approach for Hilda as her longtime assistant has been her spouse Jerry Rodriguez. Together they have mentored and prioritized their student-athletes in ways that go well beyond the coaching that takes place on the court at practice or during games."
 
In addition to more than 150 league playing and academic awards, her athletes have received 20 All-America honors and two CoSIDA Academic All-America awards. Two of her teams and five individuals have been selected to the Skidmore Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
"More than just the outstanding record of success on the court, we are grateful for Hilda's leadership and constant desire to improve the program and provide the best possible experience for our students, Cummings-Danson added. "Whether it was coaching or teaching in our Physical Activity Program, Hilda made us all aware that she was committed to doing the best job possible.
 
"Their citizenship across campus has been a valuable asset to our community and their many contributions will be greatly missed."
 
It's no surprise that Arrechea's favorite moments at Skidmore all center around her athletes.
 
"Our first NCAA appearance and the level of excitement from that group of kids that was  waiting to hear from me that we had been selected to the NCAA tournament.
 
"Another favorite memory was going into the Liberty League tournament as the number two seed and defeating the number one seed on their court in a thrilling five-set match.
 
"More recently, not actually a moment, but more of a season - seeing the commitment from a young group of players working thru the crazy times of the "no- season" year by sticking together and doing the best of what was a very difficult situation.

"I do enjoy seeing the individual accomplishments of the players that have come thru this program – long list (in no particular order!) - anthropologists, attorneys, physical therapists, psychologists, educators, veterinarians, insurance, school principals, research scientists, public relations, accountants, motivational speakers, engineers, social workers, realtors, entrepreneurs, to the first and only woman to kayak the Amazon River from source to sea. (I am sure I missed some.) Finally, what I refer to as becoming a grandmother to so many of my player's children."
 
What will Arrechea miss most?
 
"I truly enjoy coaching, that will be a big change. I will miss my players, my everyday interaction with co-workers and my friends in the volleyball community."
 
Hilda and Jerry haven't made any definite post-Skidmore plans, but will be staying in Saratoga Springs.
 
"We will travel some and become two of the people in the crowd cheering on the volleyball team as well as other Skidmore teams."
 
It's tough to have such a key part of Skidmore Athletics move on.
 
"While we are saddened to lose such an integral member of our coaching staff, we are also excited for what the future holds for Hilda and Jerry as they begin the next chapter in their lives," said Cummings-Danson. "We congratulate Hilda for an amazing career and thank her for almost three decades of selfless service to Skidmore College and our Athletic Department."