Mark Hilinski: What Parents Don’t See — Student-Athlete Mental Health and Hilinski’s Hope

In this powerful and deeply human episode of Be Valiant, Todd Merkow sits down with Mark Hilinski, co-founder of Hilinski’s Hope and father of Tyler Hilinski, the Washington State quarterback who died by suicide in 2018. Todd opens with the sobering reality that college sports continues to face devastating losses—reminding listeners that high-achieving athletes can carry unseen mental and emotional weight.

Mark takes us back to the Hilinski family’s youth sports journey: three athletic sons, a multi-sport upbringing, and the family-centered culture that many sports parents will recognize—practice fields, carpools, snack bars, and the joy that sports can bring. He describes Tyler as the “Mr. Happy” teammate: a funny, caring, relentlessly positive presence who made others feel seen, often by focusing on them instead of himself.

The conversation then turns to the questions that haunt so many families after tragedy: What did we miss? What signs were there? Mark shares how few indicators surfaced—and how Tyler’s struggles remained largely invisible until the very end. He also discusses Tyler’s posthumous diagnosis of CTE Stage 1, the uncertainty around what causes CTE and how it manifests, and how those findings shaped difficult conversations about risk, identity, and athlete brain health.

Finally, Mark explains how Hilinski’s Hope transformed grief into action—creating campus education, resources, and Student-Athlete Mental Health Week, now embraced by hundreds of schools nationwide. For parents listening, Mark offers a core message: don’t let a crisis be the first time mental health is discussed. Build the habit early. Make every topic safe. Trust your gut when something feels off. And remember that sport can be a gift—when the athlete’s whole person is protected, not just their performance.

Host: Todd Merkow - CEO & Founder, Valiant Sports Society

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical or mental health advice. Always consult a qualified professional for guidance related to your or your child’s health. Never delay seeking help because of something you heard on this show.

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