The link just takes you to the subscription page.

 

Because we require a subscription to our newspaper to read stories online... not that I'm making a big deal about this copy and paste job. Glad it's sparked some healthy debates.

I'm sure a local reporter thought it would make a good story if he could ask Coach Hicks some questions. I can promise you that Coach Hicks would never seek out the local media as a way to respond to some bush league online media comment.

 

I did this story after seeing all the attention Hood's comments got. I also did the story because I feel like Hicks and myself have a good enough rapport that I can ask him point blank questions and he'll give me straight up answers. And not shy away from something controversial.

Good stuff GNGSports.

Glad to hear you feel Coach Hicks is honest with you. People don't understand that he is a really good person. That is the part that frustrates me the most about the haters. They have no clue all the things he does for kids and for the community. Things that seldom get published and things that are selfless.

 

Let me know if I need to drop a check off at the office. I will be going past it tomorrow.

Because we require a subscription to our newspaper to read stories online... not that I'm making a big deal about this copy and paste job. Glad it's sparked some healthy debates.

 

Good job on the article.

Good stuff GNGSports.

Glad to hear you feel Coach Hicks is honest with you. People don't understand that he is a really good person. That is the part that frustrates me the most about the haters. They have no clue all the things he does for kids and for the community. Things that seldom get published and things that are selfless.

 

Let me know if I need to drop a check off at the office. I will be going past it tomorrow.

 

The man does a lot for the kids in the community. He does four weeks of summer camps for kids K-8th and hasn't charged a fee in two years. I know some HS coaches who charge upwards of $70-$80 for two or three day camps. He gets hundred of campers each session. I'm sure he's always been a nice guy, but the loss of his son has really changed him. Watched it first hand. He knows the type of impact he can have on a young person. I really respect that about him.

 

No need for the check! All good.

Good job on the article.

 

Thank you!

Basically saying that if you have money, transferring solely for athletics is OK. Glad he cleared that up.

 

I agree with him.

 

I do as well.

 

Kinda like Highlands in NKY with football except you know if your "athlete" carries an A/B average they will likely get an academic scholarship as well. I'm by no means a Highlands supporter either but I'm not blind.

Kinda like Highlands in NKY with football except you know if your "athlete" carries an A/B average they will likely get an academic scholarship as well. I'm by no means a Highlands supporter either but I'm not blind.

 

When did public schools start giving academic scholarships?

When did public schools start giving academic scholarships?

He's talking the next level unless I misunderstand.

Highlands gets the same bad rap bit fortunately doesnt have a coach throwing hissy fits on the sidelines which can draw Even more negativity from opposing fans. Look, Billy Hicks Is a Great coach and a helluva salesman. Once he retires he should go sell cars at the local Toyota dealership in G- Town. Im sure he would have appts set all day everyday. Ad far as Hood goes, maybe he's just a little jealous he didnt Get the opportunity to move to G-Town and play HS ball for a powerhouse.

a former assistant coach replying to this article on Facebook today.

 

Rick Jones' Dad worked at Toyota years before they moved up here. He commuted back and forth from Corbin...I remember him always saying..."if they hired me because of little rick they aren't doing me any favors, I haven't seen him play in two months because I'm on second shift."

 

 

Do you know of others who transferred in because parent worked at Toyota? I don't.

For a while now you have had to be hired through a temp agency and work satisfactorily for two years before you can be a full time Toyota employee with full benefits.

 

Ricks' dad got the job at Toyota in the early summer after Rick's sophomore year at Corbin. He did commute for 2-3 weeks, but decided that was too difficult and the family moved before school started in the fall.

 

Rick, Sr. told me personally that they fully intended to stay at Corbin, but that it just wasn't feasible. I have no idea if Hicks helped him get the job or not, figured it was none of my business.

I too beleive that Billy Hicks is a good man. I also think that he is in a fortuitous situation, coaching at a large public high school with close proximity to a metropolitan area, with a winning tradition which is attractive to pre-eminent athletes looking for an athletic advantage from a less-advantagous situaion.

 

I also believe that Billy is dumb like a fox, and realizes that he personally lives under a microscope. When potential athletes or their parents come calling, he has to be the teflon man, and cannot be on record as to making approaches, etc.. However, I'm sure that those prospects are made to feel welcome, and encouraged to follow-up with their move.

 

I also believe that like Highlands, Trinity, LexCath, etc.. the program sells itself. A move to a public high school where you will get plenty of exposure while playing first-class competition certainly puts you in a more favorable situation than toiling in some off-the-radar program.

 

Do I believe that Billie Gillespie was responsible for gathering his potential recruits into "closer to Lexington schools" - You Betcha!!!

 

Do I think that Billy Hicks turns away or discourages talented players from coming to Scott County??? Of course not.

 

Do I think that the Cordia situation where Rhodes was striving to build a basketball dynasty by taking advantage of Cordia's private school status, and Billy HIcks' situation that attracts players without his being pro-active in that area are apples and oranges??? Right again.

 

Am I glad that the KHSAA (finally) came down on Cordia??? Couldn't be happier.

 

Do I hold the Kentucky judicial system at fault for the onslaught of "illegal" transfers running rampart??? Right On.

 

Do I think that the Board of Education and the KHSAA should be the sole enforcement agencies for high school athletics??? Absolutely

 

Do I think that will ever happen??? No way.

I too beleive that Billy Hicks is a good man. I also think that he is in a fortuitous situation, coaching at a large public high school with close proximity to a metropolitan area, with a winning tradition which is attractive to pre-eminent athletes looking for an athletic advantage from a less-advantagous situaion.

 

I also believe that Billy is dumb like a fox, and realizes that he personally lives under a microscope. When potential athletes or their parents come calling, he has to be the teflon man, and cannot be on record as to making approaches, etc.. However, I'm sure that those prospects are made to feel welcome, and encouraged to follow-up with their move.

 

I also believe that like Highlands, Trinity, LexCath, etc.. the program sells itself. A move to a public high school where you will get plenty of exposure while playing first-class competition certainly puts you in a more favorable situation than toiling in some off-the-radar program.

 

Do I believe that Billie Gillespie was responsible for gathering his potential recruits into "closer to Lexington schools" - You Betcha!!!

 

Do I think that Billy Hicks turns away or discourages talented players from coming to Scott County??? Of course not.

 

Do I think that the Cordia situation where Rhodes was striving to build a basketball dynasty by taking advantage of Cordia's private school status, and Billy HIcks' situation that attracts players without his being pro-active in that area are apples and oranges??? Right again.

 

Am I glad that the KHSAA (finally) came down on Cordia??? Couldn't be happier.

 

Do I hold the Kentucky judicial system at fault for the onslaught of "illegal" transfers running rampart??? Right On.

 

Do I think that the Board of Education and the KHSAA should be the sole enforcement agencies for high school athletics??? Absolutely

 

Do I think that will ever happen??? No way.

 

I think because of the Cordia situation the KHSAA will be looking at every potential transfer closer than they have been. It's going to be a lot harder to move around.

When did public schools start giving academic scholarships?

 

Sorry Clyde, they will see an increased chance at getting an academic scholarship at a college. Maybe even a public University.

He's talking the next level unless I misunderstand.

 

 

You didn't.