University of Massachusetts Amherst - Index Yearbook (Amherst, MA)

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WE 1918 m Currp g tarr J tcfesi 9n appreciation LUE October skies, trees glowing with the colors of Autumn, a touch of frost in the air — these were Nature ' s contribution toward a successful dedication of M. A. C. ' s Alumni Field. October 9, 1915, will go down in the history of the college as the day that marked the realization of M. A. C. ' s long cherished dream of an athletic field of her own. Many agencies helped on to the desired end. Generosity of the Legisla- ture, wise aid from the Trustees and faculty, subscriptions from alumni and stu- dents, as well as actual work on the field by the student body did much toward reaching the wished for goal. But, more than all, is credit due to the man who saw the possibility of organization and accomplishment, who not only dreamed the dream but worked with might and main to make the dream come true — Curry Stan- Hicks. Born in central New York, Professor Hicks spent his early years on his father ' s farm, moving to a farm in Michigan when fourteen years old. His college prepara- tion was gained in the public schools and in 1902 he entered the Michigan Agricul- tural College for a year ' s work. After teaching for several years he again took up college work at the Michigan State Normal College, graduating in 1909 with the degree of B. Pd. During the last year of his college course he acted as instructor in Physical Education at the Normal College. From 1909 to 1910 he held the Edward Hitchcock fellowship of Physical Education at Amherst College. 1910 was spent as director of athletics at the Michigan State Normal College and in September, 1911, Professor Hicks came to the Massachusetts Agricultural College as assistant professor of Physical Education and Hygiene. In 1914, he was ad- vanced to the rank of associate professor. As a student athlete his record was above reproach, a man who played the game for the game ' s sake, who believed it a greater distinction to lose honorably than to win dishonestly. This attitude has marked all his work at M. A. C. and every student knows that nothing underhanded will be countenanced in any con- test under the control of Professor Hicks. In this way he has done much for the work in athletics at the college. In the scarlet fever epidemic during the winter of 1913, Professor Hicks worked long and well. The student body of that day will not soon forget the unselfishness with which he threw open his home to house as many as it would hold until satis- factory adjustment of rooming conditions could be made. If the friends of Pro- fessor Hicks were asked to suggest a name for his home, there would be none more appropriate than The house of the friendly hand. Professor Hicks insists on hard work from the students, but he sets the pace himself. Whether in athletic practice or in actual work in construction on the field the men follow because he leads. His control over the men is well shown by an incident in the Springfield Training School game of 1915. As the struggle grew more intense, the tension increased among the spectators and protests and criticisms came from the M. A. C. bleachers. From his position on the gridiron, Professor Hicks indicated his disapproval of the shouting. The first man to notice the gesture, shouted — Shut up, fellows, Curry says so and the threatened dis- order stopped.