Alumnus/Alumni of Distinction Award - 2011
James "Jim" Hicks '48

• All Southwest Iowa Basketball Team 1947 and 1948
• Class B Honorable mention All State Basketball
• Second team All State Baseball 1948
• All Conference Baseball Team at Texes Western
• Signed a Professional Baseball contract with the Boston Braves, only Wales player to sign a professional baseball contract.
• Served as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army
• 1948 graduate of Wales-Lincoln and a 1956 graduate of University of Nebraska-Omaha
• Jim became President of a Lawn and Garden Manufacturing Company at the age of 40.
• He served on the National Mower Safety Council. He developed three patents while at Lawn and Garden Manufacturing. Two of the most notable were the folding handle and safety blade.
• He was President of the National Off Road Vehicle Association for two years. He was intrumental in getting mini bikes approved for use on streets and highways.
• He began a Youth Baseball Program in the 1970's and a Youth Football Program. The football program remains strong at this time. The football registration was open to all boys age 5 to 14 in various leagues. The regristration fee was only two dollars. Jim and his wife Caroline, raised the remainder of funds needed for the program. The first year an anticipated 100 participants turned into 500. Jim enlisted several local businessmen and politicians to secure land and money for the program. Jim served as president of the organization for five years.
• Jim played fast pitch softball until age 55 after finishing his baseball playing years. He managed a Budweiser sponsored softball team which played in forty states over the years. His team won over 1000 games. They were the first major team from the Midwest to qualify for the World Series of softball. He was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame in 1989.
• Jim began playing Santa Claus for the needy families and underprivileged childrens's associations in the 1970's. He did not charge for his time or expense. He finally put his suit away about two years ago. He estimated about 10,000 kids sat on his lap during those forty years ago. He wrote a book called "Through Santa's Eyes" but never published. He and Caroline has a Christmas room with about 350 Santas and 20 Department 51 set up year around.
• He served on numerous city and community boards throughout his career. He become a certified personnel consultant.
• Writing poetry is one of his hobbies. He has presented some of his work at various events.
• Jim has served as a Master of Ceremony for numerous events including the several years for the Wales-Lincoln Alumni.