Averett University Athletics

Vesa Hiltunen was a coach and athletics director at Averett from 1976-2004. Hiltunen coached the Averett soccer team from 1976-1989 and won three league championships during his tenure while also taking his program to three NCAA Tournaments. He also served as the men's tennis coach from 1976-2004 and led the Cougars to nine conference championships during that span. He was named the conference coach of the year eight times and was the South Region coach of the year twice. 

In 1981, he became Averett's athletics director. Under his guidance, the school won 29 conference titles and an NCAA golf national championship.

Hiltunen was inducted into the Averett University Cougar Club Hall of Fame on Oct. 17, 1998. He was selected to the USA South Athletic Conference Hall of Fame on May 4, 2014.