A Fitting Tribute To Finally Become A Reality:  Joel Hicks Field
March 23, 2008

by David Gravely

“Well now that’s really nice, that really tickles me.”

Those were the first words spoken by former Pulaski County High School Head Coach Joel Hicks when he was told on Wednesday that the playing surface at Kenneth J. Dobson Stadium was going to be officially named “Joel Hicks Field” at the first game of the upcoming football season.

A more fitting tribute couldn’t be dreamed up, considering that the two names involved, Kenneth J. Dobson and Joel Hicks, were instrumental in putting Pulaski County High School sports on the map in Virginia.

It was a unanimous vote on the previous Thursday by the Pulaski County School Board that made the decision final. "I never had him as a coach," said School Board member Rodell Cruise, "But I've gotten to know him as a member of the community. I've seen the tremendous things that he has done for the athletic program and students. He is well-deserving of this honor."

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Don Stowers agrees. “Coach Hicks brought great distinction to the football and overall athletic program at PCHS” said Stowers. “"Most importantly, he helped student athletes build character and better lives through the programs in which he worked."

His accomplishments are nothing short of legendary, but to be honest he wasn’t supposed to be a football coach at all. When Hicks was first hired at Big Creek High School in West Virginia, he was hired on as the Head Basketball Coach. When he arrived to check in shortly before the school year started, he was informed that due to the departure of their current coach, Hicks was now the Head Football Coach. This was two weeks before their first game in 1964, and the Big Creek Owls finished the season 3-7. It was the only losing season that Joel Hicks ever had as a head football coach.

In 1965, the Owls went 5-4-1. The next two seasons, they went 9-1. In 1968, they went 8-2, giving Hicks an overall record of 34-15-1 in five years at Big Creek High School.

Next he moved on to Woodrow Wilson High School. Unlike his first year at Big Creek, Hicks finished his first year at 6-4. The next season, they went 7-3. Over the next five years, his teams went a respective 9-1, 8-2, 9-1, 10-0, and 8-2. He finished his time at Woodrow Wilson with a fine 57-13 record.

Coach Hicks, having seen success at his chosen profession, was then offered a job at his college alma mater. He coached at the University of West Virginia as an assistant coach from 1975-1978.

Then fate happened. Pulaski County High School had just came off of its fifth year of football, and had only managed one winning record, which was a 5-4-1 record in 1977. We were 14-33-3 in five years of football. The community wanted more, and it was up to the powers that be to make the big decisions to get more.

On a cold snowy night in Morgantown, West Virginia, Pulaski County Touchdown Club member and former player for Coach Hicks at Big Creek High School Dan Callahan delivered an offer on behalf of those in charge, and Hicks accepted.

Immediately upon his arrival, Coach Hicks began to implement his system. He got weight lifting equipment to make his kids stronger. He made them run countless laps and stadium steps. He put them in new uniforms and instilled a sense of pride and belonging in them.

In his first year at Pulaski County High School, 1979, Joel Hicks went 9-3 and gave the Cougars their first ever trip to the playoffs. They made it to the Regional Championship, where they lost to Patrick Henry 14-7.

Over the remainder of his 24 years as Head Coach for the Cougars, Joel Hicks never had a losing season. He finished out his career after the 2002 season with a 210-68 record at Pulaski County High School. For his career, he finished with 301 wins, 96 losses, and 1 tie.

During his time at PCHS he played against competition from not only Virginia, but also from West Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, and Washington, DC. His first District Championship came in 1982,his forth season at PCHS. He finished with a total of 15 (1981, 82, 83, 84, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 2000, and 2001). He won his first Region Championship in 1983, and finished with a total of six (1983, 84, 92, 93, 2000, 2001).

Coach Hicks took his teams to the playoffs in 18 out of his 24 seasons. His teams played a total of 42 playoff games, winning 23 of them. He has led his teams to three State Title games, winning the 1992 Division 6 State Championship.

He had three perfect regular seasons, and twelve seasons where he won 9 games or more. In 1993, the Pulaski County Cougars were ranked as the #10 team in the NATION by USA Today. He was the District Coach of the Year 7 times, he was the Region Coach of the Year 4 times, and was selected as the State Coach of the Year 3 times. On top of all of that, he coached in 6 State All Star Games.

Coach Hicks has helped put four young men into the NFL (Gary Clark, Todd Grantham, Shane Graham, and Jeff King), and has sent 16 players to major Division 1 colleges to continue their time on the field.

Since retiring as Head Coach, he has continued to work with the youth of Pulaski County, and has instituted a special Advanced Physical Education program for physically and mentally challenged students at PCHS. In his spare time, he runs marathons. He has run a total of 25, including running in the Boston Marathon 3 times.

“I just can’t begin to thank the people who have made this honor possible,” said Coach Hicks after taking a moment to reflect on what he had just been told. “It’s going to take me a while to make my list of people to thank, but rest assured it will be a long one. Of course I would have to start by thanking my family. My wife has been the solid rock that has held me together for all of those years. I could never have done it without her. My kids were both a special part of it all too. T.J. played for me, and Amy was a cheerleader. That was very special to me as a father.”

“I absolutely have to thank the players, managers, and assistant coaches that I’ve had come through the program when I was in charge. They are the reason we were successful. From the smallest player on the scout team to the biggest lineman, they were all important and they all are partly responsible for my receiving this honor. I believe I had three different coaching staffs over time, and each one of those staffs worked hard and helped me get this as well. I just can’t thank them all enough.”

Hicks was also quick to point out the folks in charge that gave him the opportunity to be here in the first place. “Oh I could never have made it without the help of people like Carl Lindstrom, Ken Dobson, Dewey Wilson, Tom Debolt, and all of the principles and athletic directors that have been here over the years. They gave me the chance to coach the way I felt like the kids needed to be coached. And then of course there is Dan Callahan and the Pulaski County Touchdown Club, who have always been there for not only me, but for the kids and for the program. I would hope that all of these people would be there on the day this happens to help me celebrate what is, without a doubt, a very special moment for me, my family, and everyone who has helped me over the years.”

So the news is out, and it’s official. Let me be the first to say it publicly, I would hope that as many former players and coaches as possible would not only be able to attend the game, but hopefully will join us at the base of the steps as the monument is officially unveiled proclaiming the playing surface at Kenneth J. Dobson Stadium “Joel Hicks Field”.

Be sure to check back in this paper often as plans for the ceremony are put together and finalized. All in all, however, I would expect a very memorable night for all involved.