| 11/25/2009 5:22:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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Linda Baumeister/Review
Tim Hickey, coach of numerous sports over the years, recently resigned as Tartan assistant football coach. |
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Linda Baumeister/Review
Tartan physical education teacher Tim Hickey continues working with students during strength training classes. |
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The next chapter for Tim Hickey
Coach ends time with Tartan football program
It is hard for Tim Hickey to recall a time when he hasn't had a connection with prep football. Next season, however, could be the first. Hickey recently announced that he is stepping down from his post as Tartan High School's assistant football coach.
Hickey is a physical education teacher at Tartan High School, and will continue his career at that level.
He's been at Tartan for over half his life. He's as much a part of Tartan as Tartan is of him.
Hickey lives in Oakdale and graduated from Tartan in 1978. While attending Tartan, Hickey was a football player as well as a wrestler.
He continued in athletics while at Augsburg College, mainly in the sport of football. But his college years were as long as he could stay away from Tartan. He was hired as a teacher and physical training coach after graduation.
At the time, Tartan and North High School in North St. Paul had a combined wrestling program.
"When the wrestling split into separate programs, I became the head coach at Tartan," Hickey recalled. "To split away meant I was in charge of developing the program. That was a fun challenge. The high point of my nine years as head (wrestling) coach was to have six kids that made it to the state tournament in one year. Prior to that only one kid ever went on to the state tournament," he said.
That year was 1993. One of those "kids" - Dan Recchio - is the assistant coach of wrestling at Tartan.
"It has really been a pleasure to have several kids come back who are teaching and coaching. It is neat and very rewarding to see them come back and continue to be a part of the profession," Hickey said, showing his pride for Tartan High School's athletics.
Football is in his heart
While Hickey will remain involved in those athletics, he has decided to break away from the football program.
During his playing days, Hickey was on the defensive side of the ball and chasing opposing players. At Tartan, he became head wrestling coach and continued as assistant coach for football after nine years at the helm of that program.
Despite one season back at his college alma mater as a defensive coach, Hickey has been with the Tartan football program for 24 years.
Now, Hickey is stepping down from that post, but he isn't going away.
"No," he stated firmly, "I'm not retiring. Heck, I've got nine or 10 years left before I retire. I'm still here and I'll put more effort into the weight training and into improving that aspect of teaching at Tartan," Hickey said.
In his 24 years as coach, Hickey said it is hard to find any one time that he hasn't enjoyed the job and the people he has worked with.
Hickey said he is proud of the fact that his team's record for the most wins, made during his time as head football coach, still stands.
"I'm proud of those 50 wins," he said, adding that his years as coach were "fun and rewarding."
"The combination of success and the coaches I have worked with have been a big part of my life. Most of my best friends have come through my coaching contacts. It has become a large part of our social life with my wife (Tammy) and the wives and families of the friends we have made through the years," Hickey said.
It's about commitment
As Hickey steps down from the ranks of coaching football, he said he remembers the time and commitment it took to be a head coach.
"I have the utmost respect and understand the work and energy it takes to be the head coach of football. I enjoyed every minute - well almost - of working with all the personnel I have been involved with. It is a lot of fun and very rewarding, but it takes a lot of time and energy," he said.
The amiable coach continued, "The thing I like most about football is that it is a short season. It is a microcosm of life. It really teaches kids. There is only one game each week (and) you have to make the most of each and every opportunity you create. Win or lose, you have to get right back to work and prepare for the next game. I figured out the other day that I've been involved in 75 percent of all he Tartan wins. It's really been a long and fun ride," he said.
As Hickey steps away from the football program as a coach, he said he hopes that young athletes remain committed to the sport in the future.
"Coaching the many kids that I have has been a lot of fun. But - and I hope it isn't true - I have seen that many of the kids are losing a little of what it takes to win. When you get into a sport, any sport, you make a commitment. This is a challenge that kids have to understand. They have to make an almost 'all out' commitment to that sport. I think many kids are losing some of that understanding," Hickey said.
"This is part of the struggle right now ... teaching athletes that it is going to be the challenge. Some way we have to install, or reinstall, that commitment."
Support for the future
One thing that Hickey has, as he continues to work toward improving the athletic programs at Tartan, is support from his leaders.
"Mr. Hickey did a great job in football since I've been here, said Tartan Activities Director Lee Alger. "He has a solid knowledge of the game. I know he will be missed as part of the staff. He was an all-conference student athlete here at Tartan and as a teacher and coach he has put a lot of time and pride into teaching and coaching. Tim has always been very steady, very well prepared and a significant part of the overall coaching staff at Tartan," Alger said.
While Hickey is leaving the football program after over two decades, he stressed that he is, "not going anywhere."
"I finally realized the big picture and the time and energy involved. I decided to step away from football," he said. "It's kind of where I'm at. I've enjoyed it and I feel very rewarded. But now, I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my life."
The next chapter
The remainder of Hickey's tenure at Tartan, he said, will be to work toward developing a commitment among athletes at Tartan through his efforts as almost a personal trainer.
He said he is going to focus more energy on the strength and conditioning of athletes in the program at Tartan.
Through the years Hickey has become more and more involved with what is known simply as the "weight room."
"I'm a physical education teacher, but I've been working there for quite a while," he said. "I expect that to continue. I wish we had better facilities than the substandard area that we are using, but we work with what we've got and do the best we can."
He said he understands that funding for a project such as improving the weight room is limited in the school district, and that the administration also understands.
Regardless, the facilities are put to good use by student athletes.
"I feel confident that it is the most used room - outside of the lunch room - than any other area in the school. Kids are in there before, during and after school. Athletes are there during the summer. There just isn't a room that gets more activity and use," he said.
"The weight room is a valuable piece of the overall puzzle for athletics as well as for the general fitness of the student body. I know the administration is behind us because they also know it is a huge piece of the puzzle for future success."
While Hickey is closing the door on one chapter of his career, he will likely still be found on the sidelines when football starts up again next fall.
He may not be there in a coaching capacity, but anyone would be foolish to think he won't show up, even if it's only to do a little kibitzing.
Tartan's future for staff and students will be better because of Hickey's commitment to the football program all those years.
From here, one can only say, "Hats off Coach Tim and continued good fortunes!"
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