Tim Hicks, a teacher and head baseball coach at Mount Union Area High School.
By LILY HICKS | Journalism Student, Mount Union Area Senior High School
Mount Union, Pa. — Tim Hicks has been a teacher in the Mount Union Area School District for the past twenty-three years. He has also served as a mentor for young athletes through coaching. He began by coaching junior high basketball for seven years, then became the assistant baseball coach under Nick Imperioli for four years before becoming the head coach, a position he has held for the past ten years. Being both a teacher and a coach allows Mr. Hicks to see students from multiple perspectives and provide them with the best education possible, both in the classroom and on the field.
Mr. Hicks graduated from the Mount Union Area School District in 1998. He found his inspiration for teaching from Mr. Jeffrey Vogus and said he always appreciated the way he taught his classes and prepared students for the future, rather than only focusing on the material. Mr. Hicks grew up playing many sports but has a special love for baseball. He played on the high school team all four years and was coached by Nick Imperioli and Jeffrey Vogus. When asked what inspired him to become a coach, Mr. Hicks said, “Playing for a great program and coaches made it an easy choice. While I’ve always enjoyed sports in general, baseball was always something special to me.”
Each baseball season, Mr. Hicks balances being a full-time teacher while coaching practices and games after school, which takes up a significant amount of time. He said when he first became the head coach, the combination was overwhelming at times, but over the years it has become more routine. He added that there are still moments when he feels overwhelmed, but he works to manage it. Mr. Hicks said, “I try to prioritize each task. Having a supportive family is also key. Being a coach is a sacrifice not only for the coach, but for their entire family.”
He also finds many similarities between teaching and coaching. Mr. Hicks said he hopes for the same results from both his students and his players. “The rewarding part is watching my students and players grow and improve while gaining confidence,” he said. “In baseball specifically, the players are close to graduation, and I enjoy seeing what they succeed in after high school, whether it is going to college, the military, learning a trade, or entering the workforce.”
Mr. Hicks uses his experiences as both a teacher and a player to connect with his athletes during practices. He explained that while the material in the classroom often stays the same, the approach changes depending on the students, and the same idea applies to baseball. “While our practices and techniques do not change much, how we relate those skills to our players changes. We have to find a way to make connections with each individual,” he said.
He also draws from what he learned as a player. “Playing for Nick Imperioli was beneficial because it made me understand the importance of fundamentals and repetition. Keeping things simple and trying not to overcomplicate information is something I’ve taken from my playing time and incorporated into my coaching,” Mr. Hicks said.
Mr. Hicks said he has always enjoyed working with students and athletes from Mount Union, particularly because they are genuine and can tell when someone is invested in them rather than just doing a job. He said students are more willing to work hard for those who show they care. He believes this is because many Mount Union students come from a variety of backgrounds, and he enjoys getting to know them as individuals.
He also connects lessons from the classroom to the field. Mr. Hicks said, “In high school sports, the field is an extension of the classroom. Lessons like showing up and putting forth effort go a long way. To be successful, you must show up and be in attendance.” He holds his players to the same expectations, emphasizing that they must not only show up but also put in the effort while they are there.
Mr. Hicks hopes both his students and players take away the importance of hard work and integrity. He said, “If you work hard, nobody can question your determination. Doing the right thing when people aren’t watching is something that will make you proud.”
This article was published as part of Ms. Dimoff’s Journalism class at Mount Union Area Senior High School.
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