“CONSISTENCY” – If you look it up in the dictionary you are likely to see an image of Richard “Dick” Hicks. Whether it is his record of over 30 Indiana State Singles Championships, Over 80 National age event titles, running over 100 sanctioned events, serving on the USATT Ethics and Disciplinary Committee as the chair or simply returning a loop or smash from the backcourt. He did it with grace and ease.
It is with a heavy heart that we have to share that Hall of Famer (2002) and Mark Matthews Lifetime Achievement (2019) winner Dick passed away yesterday in Indianapolis.
A champion with a champion’s sized heart left all of us all too soon. Many remember Dick winning the Over 80-84’s at the 2018 World Veteran Championships in Las Vegas in dramatic fashion. His calm demeanor, thoughtful decision-making and experience was something we all appreciated within the sport.
As a member of the Board of Directors for the United States Table Tennis Hall of Fame, Dick was in charge of producing the plaques that all inductees would receive at our annual dinner. We had been in communication with him on a number of pressing issues over the last month and it was always a treat to listen to his wisdom and advice.
Funeral Information – https://www.shirleybrothers.com/obituaries/Harold-Hicks-8/
Here are some articles and video of Dick in action :
https://youtu.be/urHC7rdBBwM – Chong Keng Tay vs Richard Hicks, Veteran Men Over 70 Singles Final – US National Table Tennis Champ
https://www.indystar.com/…/local-indy-man…/755389002/ – Indianapolis man wins table tennis world championship at 80 years old
https://ustthof.projecttabletennis.com/pro…/richard-hicks/ – Hall of Fame Profile
Here is the tribute that son Ricky provided when Dick won the Lifetime Achievement award:
Good Evening. Congratulations to Sharon, Li and Michael.
When my dad asked me to be his presenter for this honor I told him you know I hate to fly and I don’t like speaking in front of people but for you I’d be happy to do it. Sean reminded me that my speech would actually just be talking to a room full of our lifelong friends; so I’ll take just a few minutes to relay some of my favorite stories and highlights of my dad’s career.
He did not begin playing serious table tennis until he was in college at the University of Kentucky. He taught himself to play by reading a book. His interest grew and he found the Southern Indiana Table Tennis Center in New Albany Indiana where he was introduced to serious club players and would begin travelling to tournaments with Bernard Hock ( a very good player and of course famous paddle maker). By his junior year of college in 1959 he won his first of 31 Indiana Men’s Singles Championships. He won his 31st in 2005 at the age of 65 having won at least 1 title in 6 consecutive decades.
He met my mom while in college and I’m told when their dating relationship became serious she asked what happened to his last girlfriend and he told her “she complained too much when I went to table tennis tournaments”. She decided she better start playing herself and (with dad’s coaching) would become a multiple time state champion in women’s singles as well as a multiple time mixed double state champion (partnering with my dad). Mom relayed one of her favorite playing memories was teaming with Dell Sweeris to win the Indiana Open Mixed Doubles Championship defeating Mildred Sheehan and Jim Lazarus in the final.
Many of you remember Mildred. I was so scared of her when I was a little kid. Later as an adult the last time we ever spoke she told me how much she loved watching my dad play and that she had won a lot of money betting on him in the early days of his playing career.
Through those early days in the 1960’s dad began to rise through the rankings reaching the top 10 at year end 3 times; peaking out at #6 in 1966. He recorded victories over many of the top players. Some of his more memorable victories were against Irwin Klein, Bobby Fields, Norby Van de Wall, Derek Wall and Canadian Champion Max Marinko (in the deciding 9th match to give the United States team a victory over Canada in the international team competition finals at the Canadian Open). He would also team with Canadian Denise Hunius to win the Canadian open Mixed Doubles Championship and would reach the semi-finals of the Canadian Open in Men’s Singles that same year.
I know he would say he is most proud of his playing accomplishments however he has served our sport well as an administrator, including:
-3 years as national tournament director
-Midwest regional tournament director
-18 years chairman of the Hoosier State Games
-10 years on the USTTA Ethics committee
-Recipient of the Victor Barna Award for contributions to our sport
As he moved past his prime playing age he continued to work on improving his game as well as keeping himself in excellent physical condition. Through 2 heart attacks, a triple by-pass surgery, and 2 pace maker procedures he would always ask the doctor when he could start playing again. His practice and conditioning has paid off with over 80 national titles in age division events and culminated this past summer with a gold medal at the World Veteran Championships. All of these accomplishments and I know friends and opponents would all agree were achieved with great mental toughness, integrity and sportsmanship.
His love for the sport spread to me and at the age of 9 I played in my first tournament and so I have now been blessed with the unique opportunity to enjoy traveling to tournaments with my dad, receiving great coaching (right in my own home as a young player), and having a wonderful doubles partner over the years. There have been so many wonderful memories and special moments along the way. And so tonight comes another special moment for me as I have the great privilege of being here with so many of our lifelong friends to present my dad, Richard Hicks as the 2019 recipient of the Mark Mathews Lifetime Achievement award. Please join me in welcoming him to the podium.
