North Carolina State University Athletics
Getting To Know: WPC District Reps
5/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wolfpack Club
May 11, 2011
Hamilton Hicks Jr.
District 11
Hometown: Wilmington, N.C.
Current residence: Wilmington, N.C.
Occupations: Retired as an engineer with General Electric. U.S. Marine Corps Active and Reserve, retired. Currently works in commercial and residential real estate for Intracoastal Realty in Wilmington.
Family: Wife, Linda; son, Kevin Hicks; daughter, Kaki Woodlief; total of five grandchildren.
Wolfpack Club member since: since early 1970s.
NC State graduate: B.S. in January 1961.
Q .Was there an event or particular season that made you become an NC State fan?
A. I think it is inherent in the process of being a graduate of the school and living here in North Carolina. My dad was a graduate of Georgia Tech, and longed for me to go there. However, it was far away, and all of my friends were staying in the state. As a point of interest, I still know all three verses to the Georgia Tech fight song, but only can recall two for State ! Here, you are exposed to more news and information about the school. I have always had a pretty good group of NC State graduates here in Wilmington, and we do stay in touch.
Q. What made you join the Wolfpack Club?
A. My father had a close friend, Bunny Hines, who played football at NC State, and was active in the Wolfpack Club. He asked me to attend an event at a restaurant here in town one night. Warren Carroll was the executive secretary of the Wolfpack Club at the time and he came to town for the meeting. I think we had about eight people at the meeting. It has grown a good bit down here ever since.
Q. How did you become a district leader?
A. I was at work one day while I was still with General Electric, and I got a phone call from Bobby Purcell, who wanted me to meet him at his local office, the Hardee’s, so he could talk to me about something. He asked me to be the representative for this area, and I told him I would be happy to do it. It’s hard to say no to Bobby, especially when you are sitting in a Hardee’s.
Q. How strong is the NC State fan base in your district?
A. It’s very strong, but it is kind of sinusoidal. As athletics achieves success, membership goes up and people are more active. When we don’t have as much success, the numbers drop a little, and the active participation goes down. Right now we are at an all-time peak, I would say, in terms of participation in the club. We are expecting about 160 Wolfpackers at our meeting Wednesday night to hear [football coach Tom] O’Brien and [athletics director] Debbie Yow.
Q. Do you have a favorite NC State student-athlete?
A. No, not really. I go back to the time when Everett Case was the basketball coach there and we were having a lot of success. I was a classmate with a lot of basketball and football players at that time. In fact, Ronnie Shavlik was one of my fraternity brothers. And, of course, Roman Gabriel was from here in Wilmington. Roman and I were a couple of classes apart, but occasionally rode to Wilmington together. But I wouldn’t say I had an all-time favorite athlete.
Q. What is your favorite memory involving NC State athletics?
A. When I was a freshman at NC State and for part of my sophomore year, I ran cross country. I remember what we called the Vet-ville Hill, which was located on the west edge of campus [near the current location of Bragaw Dormitory]. Our coach told us when we were running that hill that if we lived through it, we would do fine in life. I guess that’s why I was able to be successful in the Marine Corps – I developed some good lungs. But, overall, I have been proud of the overall program and what it has accomplished over the years.
Q. Did you participate in any organized athletics?
A. I did run cross country while at NC State, for the first two years. Then life’s events got in the way. I played golf at New Hanover High School. We didn’t have a track team, or I probably would have done that also.
Q. In what ways are you involved in your community now?
A. I have been in elective office, both on the city council and as Mayor of Wilmington. If you are serious about it – and I think I was – it was a 24/7 office that was very demanding. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in office, and still try to be involved in civic matters when I can. I also enjoy being an amateur radio operator. I am also active with St. James Espicopal Church, Marine Corps League, the Civitan Club, and the local boating Power Squadron. Mostly, I try to be a good grandfather to my five grandchildren, and follow directions from Linda. I’ve been blessed with a good family.
Bobby Purcell says: “Ham is the former mayor of Wilmington and a retired Marine Corps officer. He knows how to get things down and he knows how he wants them done. That district continues to grow under his leadership.”
