Rudder High School softball team hosts ‘Tough as Hill’ benefit game for recovering coach

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – The Bryan and Rudder High School softball teams dedicated their Tuesday game to Calvin Hill, a Rudder High School coach who was injured in a bus crash in December 2022.

Torey Dumont, who coaches the Rudder softball team, said coming together for Coach Hill and his family makes this their biggest game of the year.

“It’s bigger than just us, and this game means so much more than anything that our girls have ever played for,” she said.

In 2022, Coach Hill was driving a bus for Santa’s Wonderland when an SUV crashed into him. He spent 180 days in a Houston hospital before finally returning home.

“I was distraught, it was crazy,” Rudder High softball player Kelsey Newland said.

Dumont said she could always count on Coach Hill to brighten her day. His positive attitude started her day off right, and she knew others felt the same way.

Coach Hill worked for years in Bryan ISD as a football coach and a special education teacher. After his years of service, Dumont said organizing the dedication game and fundraiser was a no-brainer.

“Just to see him make it through and show that he can do it, I think it’s truly inspirational to our students, to our faculties, to everybody in the community,” Dumont said.

All of the proceeds from the game, including ticket and concession sales, went directly to Coach Hill and his family. This is in addition to an online raffle, where local businesses and community members donated items like a signed Team USA Olympic softball helmet and a spring break “staycation.”

Rival schools and school districts have worked together to support Coach Hill, according to Dumont.

”Bryan High has been helping us with the fundraiser, College Station has been helping us with the fundraiser. So this is more than just Rudder High School. It’s truly the Bryan-College Station community,” she said.

It’s a long road to recovery, but Newland, who plays first base, said if anyone can persevere, it’s Coach Hill.

“I feel like our school is stronger because we know that we have to fight for him because he’s fighting for us,” she said.

The fundraiser and raffle are open until Feb. 26, with winners being drawn after. The link to donate and purchase raffle tickets can be found here.