UTSA Athletics Director Lynn Hickey officially retired from her position on Sept. 7. Hickey’s announcement cited “personal reasons”; her retirement was effective the same day as the announcement.
Hickey began her coaching career in Women’s Basketball as head coach of the Kansas State Wildcats in 1979. She remained the head coach of the Wildcats until 1984 and finished her career at Kansas State with a record of 125 wins.
In 1984, Hickey became the head coach of the Texas A&M women’s basketball team, and in 1993 the team made it to the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA national tournament. In 1994, Hickey finished her coaching career and was promoted to senior associate athletics director at Texas A&M. Until 2000, Hickey participated in event management, marketing and promotions for Texas A&M, a skill set highly valued at UTSA.
Hickey joined UTSA’s young athletic program in 2000 as the program’s fourth athletics director. Hickey immediately began working on expanding the program, becoming the only woman athletics director in Texas to oversee both men’s and women’s Division I sports.
“Regardless of the sport, if we needed an expert on the job here in San Antonio, we called Lynn Hickey,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “She and her associates took risks. Those risks have turned into a great opportunity for UTSA and the city of San Antonio.”
Hickey is directly involved with bringing 14 NCAA championship events to San Antonio, including the bid to host the 2018 Men’s Final Four and the 2022 Men’s Basketball Regional.
Hickey will be remembered most for the role she played in the starting of the football program at UTSA, along with the women’s golf and soccer teams.
On Dec. 18, 2008, the UT System Board of Regents accepted UTSA’s Athletics Initiative Business plan, granting the university the ability to start a football program for the next season. In 2011, UTSA held its inaugural game at the Alamodome with more than 56,000 in attenda
nce. UTSA later made history through its participation in the 2016 Gildan New Mexico Bowl, after only six years of play.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my time here including the university’s administration, our staff and coaches, our wonderful student-athletes and especially all those in the community who have done so much to support our teams,” Hickey said in her statement. “For the past 18 years, I have been a Roadrunner, and for that, I am truly blessed. I have seen so much growth and excitement build around athletics, both at the university and in the San Antonio community.”
UTSA President Taylor Eighmy described Hickey’s work saying, “Lynn has done a remarkable job of building our athletic programs and elevating their level of performance and stature. We thank Lynn for her service and will always look to her as one of UTSA’s most loyal fans.”
Hickey cited family obligations for the reason of her departure. She also said she had accomplished what she wanted to but would maintain her Roadrunner pride and spirit.
“As I embark on the next chapter of my life, I will continue to be one of UTSA’s most loyal fans. Incredible success awaits our Roadrunners, and I will always carry UTSA in my heart.”
Roadrunners, and I will always carry UTSA in my heart.”
