Wayne E. Hicks had a notable career as a wrestler prior to coaching. As a wrestler he was a tw time New Jersey State high school Champion (Most Outstanding Wrestler Award in 1962). While at the United States Naval Academy he was a two time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Champion (Most Outstanding Wrestler in 1966), twice received the Wilkes Open Most Outstanding Wrestler Award, and an NCAA finalist in 1965. He continued wrestling while serving in the Navy, winning everal Inter – Service Championships and placed 3rd in the US World Team Trials.

He began coaching as an Assistant Coach at the US Naval Academy in 1971 through 1974m while in the Navy. Since then he has provided another 20 years of service as a volunteer coach to the US Naval Academy, and Coach Hicks also provided volunteer coaching to Old Mill High School (5 yrs) and to Navy Junior wrestling (12 yrs). Coach Hicks Service to the Navy Junior team has been concurrent with other coaching endeavors and has produced some of the nation’s top high school wrestlers. While Coach Hicks served at US Naval Academy and Old Mill H.S. their combined record was 354-104-8. His long time coach and friend NWHOF Distinguished Member Ed Peery has stated, “Wayne Hicks was the glue binding the Navy Wrestling Program for twenty four years.

In the 2001-2002 Season he became the Head Wrestling Coach at St. Mary’s High School and began a revival of a once proud wrestling team that had not won a match in the prior four seasons. In addition, Wayne has directed a Mat Club at the Naval Academy for local youths for the past two years.