Posted on March 30 2025
Name: Nick Hills (Hillsy)
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Current Roles:
- Hillsy Keeper Academy LLC
- Club Ohio National Goalkeeping Coach (Boys/Girls)
- Ohio Dominican University Women's Soccer, Assistant Coach
- Columbus Eagles WPSL, Goalkeeping Coach
- Columbus Astray UPSL, Goalkeeping Coach
At what age did you start playing soccer?
I began playing soccer very early on, maybe as early as 5 years old.
At what age did you become a GK?
Ever since I can remember. I was drawn to the unique solo role of the GK within a team, and never looked back.
What is your favorite soccer memory?
My favorite memory is helping coach the Bishop Rosecrans High School (Zanesville, Ohio) girls soccer team to a district championship after a tense penalty shootout after two periods of extra time. I'll never forget it!
Who is your favorite GK to watch/emulate?
From a young age, my favorite GK to watch was Edwin Van Der Sar. Manchester United is the club I continue to support, and he was the staple of goalkeeping while I was competing in my high school years. I have rewatched the penalty shootout between Man United and Chelsea in the Champions League final too many times to count.
What is your favorite HPG glove and why?
My favorite HPG glove is the Blackhawk. I really like the negative cut, it gives you a complete feel of the ball in your hands. It's truly a game changer.
Why did you join the HPG glove family?
I joined the HPG family in my first year of coaching back in 2016. I crossed paths with Jon Busch through Ohio's Olympic Development Program many years ago as a GK, and immediately bought into his methods and style of coaching. Buschy's focus on simplifying the game to its fundamentals and honing those skills as a GK really resonated with me as a player and now a coach.
One piece of advice you would give to a young aspiring GK?
Trust the process and prove them wrong! Life as a GK requires patience and hardwork. Never underestimate the value of a setback. Use any/all adversity as an opportunity to prove them wrong and come back even better. Everyone wants to be the GK hero, but very few can handle the pressures, adversity and hard work that comes with it. Make your opponent earn everything!