Evans Hicks, Class of 1925

If ever there was a “do it all” person in Peddie’s storied history, it was Evans Hicks. In 1924, Evans began his Peddie career as a student-athlete of uncommon skill. First at Peddie, where he was also a cum laude student, and later at Princeton University he distinguished himself as an outstanding baseball player.

As Peddie’s senior third baseman, Evans established himself as an exceptional fielder, making only three errors in 93 chances. In his freshman year at Princeton, he won the Lawrence Gifford Kellog Award as the freshman baseball player who stood highest in athletic ability and scholarship. In the next three years, he went on to play second base for strong Princeton teams, competing handsomely with some of the great collegiate baseball players of that day.

Returning to Peddie in 1935 as a French teacher, Evans began his multifaceted 36-year career as an educator. By the time he retired in 1971 as the Math Department chair, he had coached both baseball and soccer for many years, served as a dorm master and enjoyed a long tenure as a dean of students who was highly-respected by faculty and students alike. Becoming the head soccer coach in 1937, he went on to develop three state championship teams over the next 16 years. Not only were his teams well-drilled, but they also evinced the good sportsmanship and manly qualities which he inspired both on and off the field.

Evans’ soccer record, while comparable to his outstanding contributions in all walks of school life, is particularly remarkable in that he had not ever played the game himself. In every way, Evans Hicks is especially worthy of charter membership in Peddie’s Sports Hall of Fame.