LOUISVILLE, Ky. — For the last 20 years, there was been one constant on the Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team's bench — head athletic trainer Fred Hina.

UofL announced Tuesday Hina is retiring at the end of June. As well as his trainer duties, for the past eight years, Hina has served as Director of Sports Medicine for the Cardinals.

“Congratulations to Fred on a spectacular career," said UofL Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Mack in a statement. "We are certainly going to miss him on a daily basis. What he did for student-athletes and the men’s basketball program cannot be understated. He is a die-hard Cardinal and has given every ounce of his being to this place. Our players will miss his care, his knowledge but most importantly his friendship. Thanks to Fred for everything.”

Hina came to UofL in May 2001 and has been a critical cog in the machine that has kept the team running each season. He has helped the team with its 495-185 record on the court as well as countless NCAA appearances and conference titles. 

News of his retirement spread quickly on social media and those who he worked on and worked with, were quick to send congratulations.

Before coming to UofL, Hina was an athletic trainer in the New York Mets organization for 15 years, including the last seven as the head athletic trainer for the team. 

While with the Mets, the team reached two league championship series. The Mets lost in six games in the National League Championship Series in 1999 before making it to the World Series in 2000. The Mets lost to the New York Yankees that year in what was dubbed the "Subway Series."

Hina graduated from Western Kentucky with a health care administration degree in 1987 and received his Master of Arts Degree in health studies from the University of Alabama in 2004. 

Hina is a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers Association as well as the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He and his wife Gina have three sons: Jared, Justin, and Jacob.