In Support of America's Team

On October 8, 1949, the Army Football team, led by Head Coach Earl Blaik, beat the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and broke their 25-game winning streak. Moreover, it was the Black Knights fourth consecutive win against the defending national champion Wolverines. More than 60 years later, Hugh Hickok remembers the score (21-7) and the impression it left on him. Despite being a Michigan native and attending the state's two Big Ten universities, Mr. Hickok is a lifelong Army Football fan. "Colonel Blaik was an impressive individual. During the course of his career every top school tried to hire him away, but he remained loyal to Army." Mr. Hickok was captivated by an Army team that earned and held the respect of the nation, including his own. As an avid sports fan, Mr. Hickok enjoyed following the likes of Doc Blanchard '46 and Glenn Davis '47 and the great rivalries of Navy and Notre Dame.

Mr. Hickok served in the U.S. Army and later served 30 years as an IRS agent. Through prudent investment management, Mr. Hickok found himself in a position to give back to an institution—though not his own alma mater—that was an inspiration to him over the years. In fact, one of his favorite movies is The Long Gray Line, though he laments that it doesn't go far enough to include those glory days of Army Football.

After reading a book about Blaik, Mr. Hickok's interest was reignited. In 2012 Mr. Hickok attended a West Point football weekend and had the opportunity to tour the Blaik Gallery in the Army Sports Hall of Fame as well as visit Colonel Blaik's grave at the West Point Cemetery. The following year, Mr. Hickok attended the Army-Navy Game and spoke with BG Pete Dawkins '59. "When I spoke to Pete Dawkins at the gala the night before the Army-Navy Game, I recalled his pass to halfback Bob Anderson for the two-point conversion after Army's third touchdown in the 1958 game. I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that Pete was nonplussed at my recall of the event."

To show his respect to the coach and athletes that long ago inspired him with their service and integrity, Mr. Hickok gave a significant gift through a charitable gift annuity to support the Army West Point Football Team. He is recognized in the West Point Association of Graduates' Ulysses S. Grant Lifetime Giving Society and in the 5-Star Cullum Planned Giving Society for his leadership giving. Just this past year, Mr. Hickok established a bequest to ensure that additional funding will support the team upon his death. His wish is that his gifts will inspire the winning spirit in the next generation of cadet-athletes.