CHARLESTON, S.C. -- On game day, Winston Hill's voice guides Bulldog fans through every defensive rotation and critical possession. But his journey with The Citadel did not begin behind the microphone. It began long before he ever called a game.
Hill's connection to the program started decades earlier through his father, Kent Hill, one of the Bulldogs' most accomplished players of the 1980s. A four-year forward from 1984 to 1988, Kent appeared in 103 games with 79 starts and finished his career with 1,095 points, ranking among the top 30 scorers in program history and among the top 10 all time in double-doubles. He led the team in rebounding during the 1985-86 and 1987-88 seasons, paced the Bulldogs in scoring as a senior, and served as team captain under head coach Randy Nesbit. He was also a three-time Southern Conference Player of the Week selection.
For Winston, McAlister Field House was never just an arena. It was part of his childhood.
"We always came back every year," Hill said, recalling alumni weekends and basketball camps that filled his early years. "This place meant so much to me and to my family. We'll forever be in debt."
Years later, that familiarity turned into opportunity. Hill eventually wore the same uniform his father once did, continuing a family legacy on the court before beginning a new chapter in the booth.
A Homecoming
When the opportunity came to commit to The Citadel, it meant more than basketball.
Hill entered the portal as a graduate transfer after building an accomplished collegiate résumé. He played three seasons at Presbyterian and two at Francis Marion, where he developed into a proven scorer. Over the course of his career, he totaled more than 1,400 points, including over 1,000 points in just two seasons at Francis Marion. By the time he considered his next step, he brought experience, production, and maturity to the table.
But this decision carried something deeper.
"When I finally committed, my dad was so happy," Hill said. "He tried his best not to show it, but he started smiling and he gave me a hug and we all celebrated."
For Hill, choosing The Citadel was not simply another move in his college career. It was a return to a place that had shaped his childhood, a continuation of his family's legacy, and an opportunity to create his own memories inside the same walls.
The Bonds That Remain
While fans remember his impact during games, Hill remembers the relationships.
"The most memorable moments for me are just the time with my guys in the locker room," he said. "I just made some lifetime friends like Elijah Morgan and Quentin Malloy Brown."
Those friendships remain strong.
"I still call those guys to this day, especially Elijah. We probably talk once or twice a week," Hill said. "That's honestly what I miss most about playing, just being with my friends, goofing off and doing crazy things in the locker room."
A Shift in Perspective
Hill's playing career came to an abrupt end after an injury, forcing him to reevaluate what came next.
"It was hard because once I stopped playing, it was an abrupt ending to my basketball career," he said. "I wanted to go play overseas and I was capable of doing it, so I had to pivot."
The adjustment was difficult.
"Life came at me fast because I had different plans," Hill said. "But I always say we're good at pivoting. It was tough, but we figured it out."
At first, the frustration was real.
"When I got hurt, I was kind of done with basketball," he said. "I didn't want to watch it. I didn't want to do anything. I was just so mad at the game."
But even in that moment, a new opportunity was forming. That same season, Hill found himself stepping into radio at the encouragement of head coach
Ed Conroy.
"Coach Conroy convinced me to do the radio the year I got hurt," Hill said. "He said he didn't like to see me look miserable on the bench, so he got me to do the radio."
What began as a way to stay engaged during recovery quickly became something more. Broadcasting allowed Hill to remain connected to the game without the physical toll.
"Once I got over it, this was perfect for me because it was a way to stay in the game," he said. "A way to watch film and watch basketball every day like I've been doing my entire life."
Finding His Voice
That first experience on radio opened the door to a larger role when Director of Broadcasting
Lucas Ferreira reached out with another opportunity.
"He said, 'We have a slot open for our last game. Would you like to do it?'" Hill said. "I said, 'Heck yeah.' Life's about taking chances. I jumped in the deep end and I've been loving it ever since."
The transition from player to analyst required a different mindset.
"The biggest adjustment is not being able to affect the game," Hill said. "You're kind of helpless over here. I get to talk about it, but I have no effect on what goes on on the court."
Still, his recent playing experience gives him a perspective few others can match.
"I think the best color analysts are people who have played basketball before, especially people who've played recently," Hill said. "I know this team inside out. I know exactly what Coach Conroy wants and how he wants his team to play."
Educate, Entertain, and Make You Smile
Hill approaches each broadcast with intention.
"I like to educate," he said. "You're going to get educated about different things about the game. I like to key in on rules people at home might not know."
But analysis is only part of the equation.
"I think you're going to get a laugh," Hill said. "I try my best to make people laugh. I know for sure I'll make Lucas laugh in my ear. You're just going to have a good time."
For Hill, the purpose behind the microphone goes beyond basketball.
"I think God has put people on this earth for certain things," he said. "I think He put me on this earth to make people smile. Whether I'm with you or you're listening to me, I try my best to make you smile and make you feel good."
From watching in the stands to leading on the court to calling the action from the booth, Winston Hill's bond with The Citadel has only deepened. The role has shifted, but the passion has never wavered.
-- #𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐖𝐞𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤 --
