After over 40 years of leading our school’s football team, head coach Bruce Hanson has decided it’s time to step down. When the position opened up, assistant coach Alec Hicks was appointed to the position. Hicks has been a teacher and coach for 20 years and was even a former player at our school. Because of his long legacy here, getting the news about the promotion was a special moment for him.
“I was elated. The first thing I did was to make sure I called my other coaches that I worked here with to get their support and let them know how much I loved them and wanted them to be a part of the program,” Hicks said.
Hicks has been around the team most of his life and now has the opportunity to lead them. He recalls his time playing high school football here as one of the best experiences and hopes he can pass on his love for the sport. Providing kids with the opportunity to play and feel like an important part of the team is very important to him. While building a good culture for our school’s football team, Hicks is working to do the same throughout the Arlington community.
“I go to St. Mary’s Church where I do a number of community service projects… [and] I help out at the elementary school or the middle school,” Hicks said.
Sports obviously play an important role in coach Hicks’ life, even more obscure ones, like fishing. His father taught him how to fish at a young age and he has been fond of it ever since. Whenever he gets the chance to relax, he takes the opportunity to go out on the water and see what he can catch.
As an Arlington native, Hicks knows what it is like to grow up in the area. Now that he has been chosen as head coach of the team, he hopes his athletes will enjoy their time here as much as he did.
“When I was a senior, we had a really tight group of guys. We had all played recreation sports together, or went to either Williamsburg or Swanson together. We might have played against each other, but I felt like we were very tight. I think Arlington promotes that,” Hicks said.
Our school is coming off a six win season and looking forward to what Hicks will do with the program. He wants to focus on how important teamwork is to the future of Yorktown Football.
“What’s important is getting as many guys into the games as we can in whatever situations we can. Providing the opportunities for kids to get better, so that they can play in those games, and they can be successful. And like I said, make sure that we know we are all in this together,” Hicks said.
He encourages anyone interested in playing football to try out as there are very few opportunities to play tackle football outside of high school. Hicks runs training sessions during the week for students because some might not have access to a gym or training facility. It also provides an opportunity for athletes to meet the team.
“If you are interested in playing high school football, work hard for it and reach out to one of the coaches. We have a zillion coaches in the building, which is a great thing because we are here to support the kids not just on the field, but academically as well,” Hicks said.
Hicks has nothing but love for our school and the football program. He wanted to give credit to Bruce Hanson for giving him the opportunity to play and coach here, as well as his dad for supporting him every step of the way. Having met every Yorktown varsity football coach, Hicks is inspired to keep their legacy going, while simultaneously creating his own.
“I think that kind of speaks to the tradition of Yorktown. Every day [when] I wake up, I hope to make all those coaches happy… because they all put time in here and I just feel honored to have that next chance,” Hicks said.
The future is bright for Yorktown football. We have a good coach and a good man leading the team. Go Pats!
