John Hickey
John Hickey
1990-1995
Fly Half
Biography
I grew up playing 7s and 10s with the New Auburn Syndrome Rugby Club, a team my dad founded in Northern Wisconsin. I loved playing Rugby and knew well before I arrived as a freshman that I would join the club the day after I moved into the dorms. I had over 5 years of rugby playing experience prior to my arrival, but sadly no experience playing 15s. My first couple of seasons were spent learning, sometimes the hard way, that every possession did not need to go wide, and that 15s is far more strategic and organized than the style I was accustomed to playing. Once I learned about the importance of phases and structure my playing career blossomed. We won the Midwest in 1992 and advanced to the Final 4 in the Spring of 1993. That season proved vital for me personally, as I would become the starting Fly Half for the Midwest Collegiate All-Star team for three years in a row.
Please share a fun fact about you or your favorite rugby memory.
When I played for my dad's team in High School, I played against men, not other skinny high school kids. My first 7s game ever played was in 1986, the summer before 9th grade, at Sawdust City Days in Eau Claire, WI. We played against the Quad City Irish and was beaten like a drum. Little did I know that the team included a fresh-faced college kid from Burlington Iowa named Tom Billips. His team would go on to win the National Sevens Championship that year. Later that Summer we played 10s against the Milwaukee Rugby Club, the reigning National 15s Champions. I may sound like an old curmudgeon, but I played against some of the best players in the county before I was old enough to vote.
Is there a specific achievement or contribution you're especially proud of from your time on the team?
My final year was a transition period for UW- Rugby. Stu Pippel, who coached at that time, had a newborn and unfortunately, he could no longer commit the time to coaching the team. With help from a couple other veteran players, I agreed to act as Player/Coach until we could secure a replacement. I was returning as Captain and unfortunately it became apparent that I was option one of one. I coached the team in the Fall 1994 and Spring of 1995. Luckily, I met Skip Heffernan, who was with Wisconsin RFC at the time during the Fall Season of 1994 and slowly, but surely, he became more and more involved and agreed to become Head Coach beginning in the Fall of 1995.
What have you been up to since graduating, or how did rugby impact your post-college life?
I continued playing after graduating from UW for many years starting with the Chicago Lions in the Fall of 1995. I played in the first version of USA Rugby's attempt to create a high-level conference in men's rugby, the so called "Super League" at the time. I started in the first ever Super League game between the Chicago Lions and the Dallas Harlequins in the Spring of 1997. Ironically, six months later I moved to Dallas, TX and played for the Harlequins in Super League Rugby for another seven years. Ever city I moved to, I was welcomed by the Rugby community with open arms. It truly is a brotherhood.
Who were your most influential coaches or teammates, and why?
Stu Pippel has to be one of the most influential coaches. He was a forward oriented coach, which to say the least, created sparks between us due to my freewheeling, let it fly playing tendencies. I learned the importance of phase play, and structure from Stu. Dave Gosch was Captain my freshman year and his tough, but fair leadership style really had an impact on me when I became Captain, and later Player/Coach. Another player who had a big impact was Eric Curtin. He played tight head prop my first few seasons at UW. I took for granted the clean and steady ball I always received from Scrums. Only after his graduation did I realize the importance of a player of his caliber.
What advice would you give to current or future rugby players at UW-Madison?
BEAT THE GOOD TEAMS! But be humble and grateful doing it. Help them up, after you knock them on their a**.
