Hillary Chollet was youngest of three brothers who attended Holy Cross and dominated on the hardwood from early on and developed into an outstanding halfback on the gridiron. He was a part of the 1942 State Championship basketball team as a freshman playing with both his older brothers – Al & Leroy. 

A leg injury suffered during the 1942 football season left him on the sidelines for the 1943 basketball season where he watched both his brothers help capture City and State titles and be named All-Prep & All-State.

Chollet returned to basketball for the 1944 season as captain of the Tigers and led the Prep League in scoring on way to becoming Prep MVP and All-Prep as a junior.

He saved his best for last on the hardwood however as he captained the Tigers to a 16-1 record as a senior in 1945 capturing the AA State Title. Chollet finished second in the Prep  League in scoring en route to All-State and All-Prep honors.

As a he grew he became a force in football in the Catholic League for Coach Lou Brownson. 

Hillary earned New Orleans Daily States Item first team All-State honors at halfback as a senior in 1944 along with teammate Alvin Brinker. Chollet led the Tiger backfield as a senior to city championship in 1944. The Tigers established a new state scoring record with 423 points in 12 games.

He also played outfield on the Tigers 1944 State Championship baseball team and was Vice President of his senior class. 

Chollet went on to star at Cornell University in New York as a two-sport superstar establishing himself as one of Cornell’s greatest modern athletes. 

Inducted into the Cornell University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978, Chollet became a four-year letterman in both basketball and football. He was captain and the outstanding all-around player on the 1948-49 basketball team.  

He set Cornell’s all-time game record with 37 points against Syracuse in 1949, scoring on 19-of-21 foul shots, which set a national collegiate record.  

He was a standout running back and defensive safety in football and the team’s best kick returner from 1946-49.  He missed the 1947 season with an injury and was given permission to play in 1949.  He led Cornell to a record of 21-5-1 over his career, including 8-1 records in 1948 and ’49 and the unofficial Ivy League championship both seasons.  

Following his outstanding play during the ’49 season, he was accorded many honors, including Chicago Tribune All-America first team; Associated Press All-America second team; and first teams of the AP All-East, AP All-Ivy and Collier’s All-East; and was named The Cornell Sun Athlete of the Year.

In December of 1948 Chollet was drafted by two professional sports franchises. The Brooklyn Dodgers of the All-American Football Conference took him in the 11th round pick (79th overall) but he was declared ineligible. Later that same month the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the 1949 NFL Football Draft in the 18th Round (177th overall).

In his professional life, he had a successful career in California as a dentist. The book White Coat and

Sneakers, written by Hillary’s son, is based on his dad’s life story.

Holy Cross Accolades:
• Three-year Letterman for football & basketball
• Captain of the City Championship Football Team (1944)

 • 2-time Captain of Basketball Team including 1945 State Championship squad
• Two-sport All-State athlete (Basketball & Football)