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Alumni Stories

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 05/05/16, 3:00PM PDT

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Former defensive lineman Larry Hillary

It’s been seven seasons since defensive lineman Larry Hillary patrolled the Apple Bowl wearing his #44.

Despite his terrifying game on the field, Hillary was certainly well liked by all his teammates showing outstanding leadership qualities, winning the team’s top defensive lineman award in 2009.

Many fans might not remember but Hillary’s junior football career didn’t actually start on the storied Apple Bowl grass.  He broke into the BCFC as a member of the Chilliwack Huskers in 2006 as a fullback.

The following year the Rutland grad was granted his release to return home and suit up for the Sun, this time on the defensive side.  He played three seasons in the orange and brown from 2007-2009, collecting 24 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and a block.

“The highlight of my career was my final game against Nanaimo,” says Hillary. “Even though we lost, everybody pushed harder than ever and the feeling after the game was that everyone truly left it all on the field.”

Playing with the Sun for three season, he made some lifelong friendships, “the entire group that I graduated with and all the players who came after each made an impression. I’m friends with many of them still.”

Following his time with the Sun he moved to Edmonton and played two seasons of CIS football at the University of Alberta, then started working in the oilfields.  He’s still living in Alberta and working in the oilfields as well as landscaping.  August will be an important month, he’s getting married to his beautiful finance Amy.

It’s been seven seasons since he last played in the Okanagan but Hillary says he “would 100% trade places with a current player to experience everything the same and the organization has to offer.”  He also has this piece of advice for the current roster; “play every game like it’s your last, cliche right? Put everything you possibly can into becoming a better player because you truly get it back tenfold in the end and it will not only make you a better player, but a better man.”

Larry Hillary is a proud Okanagan Sun alumnus.