Topic: R-H: Former Marshall player inspired by plane crash

[ZackUSAF82]

Hicks, member of 1972-73 teams, writes about experiences

By Gary Fauber
Assistant Sports Editor

BECKLEY — In early 1972, Les Hicks was at Marshall University on a recruiting visit. He had been a highly regarded prospect out of Ohio prep powerhouse Steubenville High, but an admitted lack of focus in the classroom forced him to go the junior college route.

He starred as a defensive end at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa. After a successful two years there, the same big-time programs — Notre Dame, Ohio State, Syracuse, among many others — that recruited Hicks while he was in high school came calling again.

Naturally, Hicks — who emerged from a devastatingly poor childhood — had his eye on playing for the big boys. He was accustomed to success, first at Steubenville and then at Ellsworth, and never saw himself playing for a program like Marshall, which had not had a winning season since 1964.

Link: http://www.register-herald.com/collegesports/x462956231/Former-Marshall-player-inspired-by-plane-crash