Marist Mourns Lack of William “Brink” Hartman

POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist University Athletics Department is mourning the lack of William “Brink” Hartman, who handed away on April 4 on the age of 55.
 

A 1992 Marist graduate, Brink was a adorned member of the boys’s swimming & diving program. He held information within the 500 free, 1000 free, 1650 free, 200 again, 200 IM, 400 IM, 400 medley relay, 400 free relay, and 800 free relay. He was named Marist’s Sportsperson of the Year and served as crew captain as a senior.
 

Brink was a key a part of Marist’s first convention championship in males’s swimming & diving, because the Red Foxes gained the Metropolitan Conference in 1990. He was a part of a foundational recruiting class that established this system’s championship custom.
 
Beyond his accomplishments within the pool, Brink was considered a standout chief and competitor. He was extremely considered a teammate, somebody who respectfully pushed others to be the perfect model of themselves whereas being modest about his personal accomplishments.
 

Following commencement, Brink labored in buyer care and claims with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem) for 28 years. He was a faithful household man who was married to his spouse, Tami, and had two youngsters, Maggie and Andrew. Maggie graduated from Marist in 2025, and he or she was a four-year member of the swimming & diving program.
 

“The Hartman family has been a part of the Red Fox Swimming & Diving community for over 35 years,” stated Larry VanWagner, who served as Marist’s Director of Swimming from 1976-2021. “The long winning tradition of the men’s team began with the addition of Brink Hartman and company in 1989. It was their first undefeated season that led to their first conference championship the following year. At the time, Brink would hold six individual school records and three relay school records. He was a gentle giant whose impact on Marist swimming history and our lives will never be forgotten.”
 
Following commencement, Brink stayed on with the Marist Swim Club, and he competed in US Swimming Nationals in Mission Viejo, California. VanWagner was steadfast in placing collectively the perfect 400 medley relay crew he may discover, with Brink filling the backstroke position. One of Brink’s teammates was Kyle O’Neil, an incoming freshman who has remained at Marist as an assistant coach since commencement. Bonds have been fashioned, and a Swim Club file was shattered on the occasion.
 
“I can confidently say it will never be broken again,” O’Neil stated.
 
O’Neil was a part of the Marist workers that coached Maggie Hartman in her 4 years as a Red Fox, a time through which Brink’s assist was all the time evident.
 
“It was great that his daughter came to Marist, and that Marist remained special to him,” O’Neil stated. “I know Marist held a special place in his heart.”
 
A memorial service will likely be held on Saturday, April 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 107 State Street, Albany, NY 12207.