Former Aerials Athlete, Coach Timothy Corey Hacker Passes Away
Former U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials athlete and longtime freestyle coach Timothy "Corey" Hacker passed away on Aug. 5, 2024, at the age of 52 after a long battle with ALS and other neuromuscular disorders.
Hacker grew up in western New York and quickly learned to ski at Kissing Bridge in Glenwood, NY. During his time in high school at the Springville Griffith Institute, Hacker was an award-winning defensive back in the fall and a full-time skier in the winter, traveling across New England to any hill that he could train at. He spent his summers water ramping in Lake Placid, NY practicing his jumps at the Olympic Jumping Complex and following graduation from Springville in 1991, Hacker moved to Park City, UT to pursue aerials skiing full-time.
In 1995, his dream of making the U.S. Freestyle Ski Team came true, and he quickly became a name to remember in the aerials world. In only his third season with the team, Hacker was named the 1998 NorAm Champion following a handful of podiums and a win in the 1997-98 season. In 2001, Hacker was a part of the team sent to represent the United States at the 2001 FIS Freestyle World Championships in Whistler, CAN, where he finished fifth, sweeping third-sixth place alongside his teammates Joe Pack, Eric Bergoust and Jerry Grossi. During his time with the team, Hacker met his wife and fellow New York native Kelly Hilliman, also a U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials team member and following his retirement in 2003, Hacker stayed with Hilliman in Park City to support her athletic endeavors before marrying and moving back to New York in 2006.
Shortly after returning to the East Coast, Hacker and Hilliman founded the FLITE (Focus Leads Individuals to Excellence) Team at HoliMont in Ellicottville, NY, a competitive freestyle development program for aerials and moguls skiers. Over the last 17 years, Hacker and Hilliman grew the program from 20 to 70 athletes and 22 staff members. In addition to coaching and being the co-program director for FLITE, Hacker also worked as a graphic artist for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority.
Hacker is survived by his wife, Hilliman, and their three children, two of whom are on the FLITE Team. They have grown into a truly generational freestyle family, with many members of their immediate and extended family participating in freestyle skiing in some way, whether as athletes, coaches, or officials. Hacker's reputation is one of excellence as an athlete and a coach. His commitment to his community and legacy will continue inspiring freestyle skiers for generations to come.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and the FLITE community.
Visitation hours will be held at Hoover Beach Community Center, 60 North Shore, Hamburg, NY 14219, Thursday, Aug. 15, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at HoliMont at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Hacker’s Hope Ski Fund at @HackerCo, Hackershope.com.