Assistant coach Lindsey Hicks adds a huge basketball IQ boost to an already stacked staff for Virginia Tech women's basketball. However, there's something arguably more important than her technical expertise in developing post players. It's the fact that she's faced many of the same challenges members of the team take on everyday as female student-athletes.
"I've been through everything that the girls have been through as a student-athlete – they go through a lot," said Hicks, who joined the women's basketball staff in 2020. "Whether it's something that happens in their personal lives or on the court, I feel like I've experienced what they have. So I understand what they may go through and I'm going to be there for them."
Hicks began her basketball journey as a child in the driveway with her two brothers. She went on to be a standout at Lebanon High School in Ohio and continued her success at the Division I level at Purdue. After a successful career that saw multiple Big Ten Championships and a National Championship appearance, Hicks started a successful six year odyssey playing professional basketball in Europe. She was named the MVP of the Danish League in 2006 while playing for Vitus Bering. During her years as a player, Hicks noticed how influential her assistant coaches were to her development.
"I was impacted a ton by my assistant coaches, Pam Stackhouse and Kerry Cremeans, when I was at Purdue," Hicks said. "I think as a student-athlete you go through so many ups and downs just growing up as a person, so I leaned on them a ton. So when I started coaching, I knew that was important. It's what I love about coaching. I can make an impact on the young women in our program."
There's definitely been a measurable impact since Hicks joined Kenny Brooks and company in Blacksburg. Her overwatch of the Hokies post players has coincided with the development of Elizabeth Kitley into one of the nation's best centers. In her first season on the staff, Virginia Tech returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006 and advanced to the second round of the tournament. The 2021-22 team is poised for a return to the tournament as well and is off to its best start in the ACC.
"This is a really special group because they're already really talented but still work really hard," Hicks said. "They're hungry for constant knowledge of the game, even some of the older players, which is really encouraging."
When reflecting on some of the inequities that women's basketball faces as opposed to men's, Hicks chalked up a major problem being the misunderstanding of the sport in general.
"A lot of times, people aren't open minded about the comparison between men and women in sports," Hicks said. "They're two different games. Once you realize that, you can really appreciate the hard work and fundamentals that go along with women's basketball."
Like the best coaches and mentors for female student-athletes, Hicks affirms the idea that the Hokies have endless opportunities after their time playing in Cassell comes to an end.
"When you're 18 to 22, it's hard to see five years from now because you're so in the moment," Hicks said. "I tell them the sky's the limit for them. Whether that means playing professionally or getting their dream job, they can do it. I am their biggest supporter."
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