Wisconsin Football Coaches Association

Born June 1, 1921, Juneau, Wisconsin

Graduate of Juneau High School, B.S. St. Norbert College, M.S. Northern Illinois University

Coached football at:

St. Norbert High School 1947;
Independence 1949-52;
Denmark High School 1952-60; and
St. Norbert College 1961-85.
John was a graduate of Juneau High School where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball and track. He played his college football at St. Norbert College where he finished his senior year on an unbeaten 8-0-0 team. He lettered three years at St. Norbert as a halfback.

John served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and was called back to duty during the Korean War.

In his first coaching role John assisted at St. Norbert High School in 1947 where he served under the late Fred Dillon. He started teaching and coaching at Independence in 1949 where he started the football program. He also coached basketball and baseball at Independence.

At Denmark where he taught physics and biology John directed the Vikings to several Little Nine football championships, including an unbeaten season in 1952. His other coaching duties at Denmark included basketball, baseball, and track.

John gave up his coaching career at Denmark in 1961 in order to serve at St. Norbert under Howard "Chick" Kolstad as the defensive coordinator.

He was a member of the Denmark Education Association, Wisconsin Coaches Association, Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Association. He was an active member of the American Legion for over past forty years.

Being very humble about his accomplishments John's reasons for staying in coaching so long are very simple. "I just like football and the kids," Hickey said.