Guy Wicks

{{Short description|American baseball player (1902–1968)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox college coach | name = Guy Wicks | image = Guy Wicks.jpg | alt = | caption = Wicks in 1946 | birth_date = {{Birth date|1902|6|8}} | birth_place = Eustis, Nebraska, U.S. | death_date = {{Death date and age|1968|1|16|1902|6|8}} | death_place = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | alma_mater = | player_sport1 = Baseball | player_years2 = 1922–1924 | player_team2 = Idaho | player_positions = Infielder | coach_sport1 = Football | coach_years2 = 1935–1940 | coach_team2 = Idaho–Southern Branch | coach_sport3 = Basketball | coach_years4 = 1925–1927 | coach_team4 = Genesee HS (ID) | coach_years5 = 1927–1930 | coach_team5 = Moscow HS (ID) | coach_years6 = 1930–1931 | coach_team6 = North Central HS (WA) | coach_years7 = 1931–1941 | coach_team7 = Idaho–Southern Branch | coach_years8 = 1941–1942 | coach_team8 = Idaho | coach_years9 = 1946–1947 | coach_team9 = Idaho | coach_sport10 = Baseball | coach_years11 = 1942 | coach_team11 = Idaho | coach_years12 = 1946–1947 | coach_team12 = Idaho | admin_years1 = 1931–1935 | admin_team1 = Idaho–Southern Branch<br>(assistant AD) | admin_years2 = 1935–1941 | admin_team2 = Idaho–Southern Branch | overall_record = 29–17–1 (college football)<br>184–111 (college basketball)<br>22–55 (college baseball) | bowl_record = | tournament_record = | championships = | awards = | coaching_records = | module = {{Infobox military person | embed = yes |allegiance = {{USA}} |branch = {{flag|United States Navy}} |rank = 15px Lieutenant Commander |battles = World War II |unit = Training |service_years = 1942–1946 |awards = }} }} '''Guy Plumb Wicks''' (June 8, 1902 – January 16, 1968) was an American coach of college athletics and a university administrator; he coached basketball, baseball, and football in the state of Idaho.<ref name=gwfica>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NMpeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gDIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=2228,2480280|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=Idaho|title=Guy Wicks, former Idaho coach, administrator, dies in Georgia |date=January 17, 1968 |page=14}}</ref><ref name=wgohis>{{cite web|url=http://content.libraries.wsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/wo_west/id/722 |publisher=Washington State University Libraries|title=Wicks, Grace - Oral History Interview, 1994 |last=Hadaway|first=Leigh A. |date=April 20, 1994 |access-date=June 27, 2016}}</ref>

==Early years== Born in Eustis, Nebraska, Wicks moved with his family to the Palouse region of northern Idaho. He graduated from Moscow High School and the University of Idaho, also in Moscow, where he played baseball for the Vandals,<ref name=gawtvuij>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eJcRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BOQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6721,1111187|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|title=Greene and Wicks named to vacant University of Idaho athletic jobs |date=March 18, 1941|page=11}}</ref><ref name=gem24base>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1924/148 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Baseball (1923 season) |date=1924 |page=137}}</ref><ref name=gem25base>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1925/160 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Baseball (1924 season) |date=1925 |page=132}}</ref> and was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity.<ref name=gem25sr>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1925/60 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Seniors |date=1925 |page=35}}</ref><ref name=gem25signu>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1925/3200 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Sigma Nu |date=1925 |page=288}}</ref>

==Coaching and administration== After receiving his bachelor's degree in 1925,<ref name=gem25sr/> Wicks coached multiple sports at the high school level in nearby Genesee for two years, back at Moscow for three, and at North Central in Spokane for one.<ref name=wtcnc>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qRBWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=huIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4287,2845115 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington|title=Wicks to coach North Central |date=August 13, 1930 |page=15}}</ref>

Wicks moved to Pocatello in southeastern Idaho in 1931 to become assistant athletic director at the University of Idaho's Southern Branch (then a two-year school, and now Idaho State University),<ref name=wtlnc>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KO8UAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GOMDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4313,196529|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|title=Wicks to leave North Central |date=September 1, 1931 |page=11 }}</ref> where he also coached the basketball team. With the departure of Felix Plastino in 1935, Wicks became athletic director,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97987397/tiges-appoint-new-chief-for-athletic-wor/ |title=Tiges Appoint New Chief for Athletic Work |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |page=12 |date=May 27, 1935 |accessdate=March 20, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=widisi>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=nNRXAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9vQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4919,5983407|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Washington|title=Wicks is Director in Southern Idaho |date=May 23, 1935|page=16 }}</ref> and also became head football coach, posting a {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|29|17|1|record=y}}}} record in six seasons with the Bengals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://isubengals.com/sports/2014/3/19/FB_0319143909.aspx?id=164 |title=Coach Records |website=isubengals.com |accessdate=March 20, 2022}}</ref>

After a decade in Pocatello, Wicks returned to Moscow in 1941 to coach basketball and baseball for the Vandals.<ref name=gawtvuij/><ref name=ggnau>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=G8deAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JTIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1581%2C5710006 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |title=George Greene named athletic director at 'U' |agency=Associated Press |date=March 18, 1941 |page=8}}</ref><ref name=gwvhnp>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EsNeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vzEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4860,1464099|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=Idaho|title=Coach Guy Wicks visits his new post at Moscow |agency=Associated Press |date=April 18, 1941 |page=10 }}</ref><ref name=gemsen>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1942/69|publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook|title=Vandal Coaches|date=1942|page=64}}</ref> During World War II, he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy,<ref name=gwghnp>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rHBWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SOQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6804,2713142|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington |title=Guy Wicks gets his Navy post |date=December 11, 1942|page=13 }}</ref> then returned to coach at Idaho in 1946.<ref name=wrticans>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qSxWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QOUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6884,1270418|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|title=Wicks returns to Idaho courts after Navy service |agency=(photo) |date=November 19, 1946 |page=12 }}</ref> Wicks later worked in the athletic department and then in university administration, as the associate dean of students.<ref name=gwfica/><ref name=dtbckag>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HgFYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LPcDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4404,1558959|newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=Washington |title=Dean title back again|date=June 6, 1960|page=3 }}</ref>

==Death== Following his retirement from the university in 1966,<ref name=gems66stdafr>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1966/31 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Student Affairs |date=1966 |page=27}}</ref> Wicks worked for the Sigma Nu fraternity.<ref name=gem25sr/><ref name=gem25signu/> While in Atlanta to visit the chapter at Emory University, he fell ill and died in early 1968 at the university hospital; he had battled chronic lymphatic leukemia since 1960.<ref name=gwfica/><ref name=apwtltl>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bQ0kAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_tAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2357,4709526&|newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News|location=Idaho-Washington|title=Acting presidential when there's little time left|last=Wicks |first=Grace |date=August 21, 1993 |page=1C }}</ref>

==Personal== Wicks married Lela Grace Jain (1906–1997) of Genesee in 1929.<ref name=lmtobit97>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Nc9eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8DIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3668%2C1522535 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=(obituary) |title=Grace Jain Wicks, 90, longtime Moscow columnist |date=June 20, 1997 |page=2C}}</ref> She outlived her husband by nearly three decades, and was a leading citizen in Moscow. Grace entered UI in 1925 and was a member of Pi Sigma Rho sorority,<ref name=gem26gj>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1926/346 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Pi Sigma Rho |date=1926 |page=304}}</ref><ref name=gem27gj>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1927/356 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Pi Sigma Rho |date=1927 |page=352}}</ref><ref name=gem28gj>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1928/370 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Pi Sigma Rho |date=1928 |page=354}}</ref> which became Alpha Phi in 1928.<ref name=gem29gjn>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/uidahodigital/docs/gem1929/398 |publisher=Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook |title=Alpha Phi |date=1929 |page=394}}</ref><ref name=otmrscelb>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=A_0tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qNAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4983%2C441774 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |last=Wicks |first=Grace |title=Old-timers celebrate their youths in Genesee |date=June 4, 1994 |page=2C }}</ref><ref name=aphursa>{{cite web|url=http://www.alphaphi.org/events/convention/ursamajor |publisher=Alpha Phi |title=Ursa Major Award recipients - Grace Jain Wicks (1974) |access-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref> Illness from influenza delayed her graduation until 1933,<ref name=lmtobit97/> majoring in English with a minor in music.<ref name=wgohis/> With two older brothers having served in World War I,<ref name=mooradop>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MJUrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EtEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4330%2C963726 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |last=Wicks |first=Grace |title=Memories of the original Armistice Day on the Palouse |date=November 11, 1991 |page=8A }}</ref> she assisted in the promotion of the Memorial Gymnasium, which opened in 1928.

Grace was a financial advisor in the 1950s, elected a county commissioner in the early 1960s (both very uncommon for a woman at the time),<ref name=mwffcm>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Rr5eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LTEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6358,2757755|newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=Idaho|title=Mrs. Wicks files for commission|date=April 19, 1962|page=3}}</ref> and later the local chair of the Republican Party.<ref name=wgohis/> A major contributor to the county historical society, she had a long run as a newspaper columnist as a senior for the ''Moscow-Pullman Daily News,''<ref name=svggrce>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xQcvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7NAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5539%2C1406713 |newspaper=Idahonian |location=Moscow |title=Saving Grace |last=White |first=Vera |date=August 17, 1989 |page=1B }}</ref><ref name=afwlltgw>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yMwqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_9AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5513%2C2681093 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |agency=(letter)|title=A farewell to Grace Wicks |last=Dailey |first=Bette Ruth |date=November 29, 1997 |page=2C }}</ref> writing right up until her death,<ref name=wlol >{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1cUjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GtEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3559%2C1617966|newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |last=Raquet |first=Murl |title=Wicks' love of life still burning brightly |date=June 20, 1996 |page=1A}}</ref><ref name=fwtk>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E08tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=utAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6415%2C2367609 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |last=Wicks |first=Grace |title=Farewell to Kleffner; an honor to attend |date=June 7, 1997 |page=2C}}</ref><ref name=whyrmem>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GE8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=utAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3356%2C1662215 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |last=Wicks |first=Grace |title=Window holds years' memories |date=June 14, 1997 |page=1C}}</ref><ref name=lastcolm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Gk8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=utAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6350%2C972334 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |last=Wicks |first=Grace |title=UI speaker's father lived next door |date=June 21, 1997 |page=2C}}</ref> which came a day shy {{nowrap|of age 91.<ref name=gwlrepac>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Gk8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=utAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2265,1228575|newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News|location=Idaho-Washington|title=Grace Wicks, longtime Republican activist dies at age 90 |date=June 19, 1997 |page=1A }}</ref><ref name=gjwlmc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Nc9eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8DIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3668%2C1522535 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho|title=Grace Jain Wicks, 90, longtime Moscow columnist|date=June 20, 1997 |page=2C}}</ref><ref name=aaawoc>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=G08tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=utAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3466,741503 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |title=Grace Wicks: above all, a woman of courage |last=Frisch |first=R.C. |date=June 23, 1997 |page=6A}}</ref>}}

The couple is buried together at the city cemetery in Genesee;<ref name=ckrpolob>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FJQrAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zNAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6477%2C336157 |newspaper=Idahonian |location=Moscow |last=Wicks |first=Grace |title=Care keeps resting places of our loved ones beautiful |date=October 3, 1987 |page=2B}}</ref> they had two children, Grace Jain<ref name=gwwsm>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9JVfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5783%2C3123906 |newspaper=Lewiston Morning Tribune|location=Idaho|title=Grace Wicks weds Stephen Moe |date=August 20, 1961 |page=3-sec 2}}</ref> and Donald, and eight grandchildren.<ref name=gwlrepac/>

==Legacy== A year after his death, Idaho's recently relocated baseball field ({{coord|46.7316|-117.0195}}) was named for Wicks during the 1969 postseason.<ref name=fnmd>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZY9YAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GvgDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6212%2C2644756 |newspaper=Spokane Daily Chronicle|location=Washington|title=Field named|date=May 24, 1969|page=11}}</ref><ref name=ishaf>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y7lWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=a-kDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3037%2C3569176|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|title=Idaho shades Air Force in opener|date=May 24, 1969|page=15}}</ref> In the vast open area at the northwest corner of the campus which includes multiple intramural fields, the name "Guy Wicks Field" is now primarily attached to the women's soccer field at the western edge.<ref name=gwfsoc>{{cite web|url=http://www.govandals.com/news/2012/6/22/guy_wicks_field.aspx|publisher=University of Idaho Athletics |title=Guy Wicks Field |access-date=August 8, 2017}}</ref> Baseball was dropped as a varsity sport after 1980,<ref name=basdro>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=z5NfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FDEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5789%2C4625804 |newspaper=Lewiston Monrning Tribune|location=Idaho|title=UI drops baseball, but booster group mounts fund drive|date=May 13, 1980|page=C1}}</ref><ref name=boai>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CFZOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Re4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5702,6845869&|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|location=Spokane, Washington|title=Baseball's 'out' at Idaho |last=Goodwin |first=Dale|date=May 13, 1980|page=19}}</ref> and women's soccer was added in the fall of 1998.

The university's "Guy and Grace Wicks Award" annually recognizes two outstanding seniors, based on academic success, campus activities, and service to the university and the community.<ref name=awrdjoy>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fcUjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0tAFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4223%2C1415947 |newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News |location=Idaho-Washington |last=Wicks |first=Grace |title=The joy in giving the Guy Wicks Memorial awards |date=April 11, 1992 |page=1C }}</ref><ref name=gagwa>{{cite web|url=https://www.uidaho.edu/current-students/student-involvement/leadership/student-achievement|publisher=University of Idaho|title=Guy and Grace Wicks Award|access-date=August 8, 2017}}</ref>

Wicks was inducted to the athletic halls of fame at Idaho State University in 1980<ref>{{cite web |url=https://isubengals.com/honors/hall-of-fame?hof=40 |title=Guy Wicks |website=isubengals.com |accessdate=March 8, 2022}}</ref> and at the University of Idaho in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.govandals.com/hof.aspx?hof=108 |title=Guy Wicks |website=govandals.com |accessdate=March 8, 2022}}</ref>

==Head coaching record==

===College football=== {{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subhead | name = Idaho Southern Branch Bengals | conf = Independent | startyear = 1935 | endyear = 1940 }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 1935 | name = Idaho Southern Branch | overall = 7–0–1 | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = no | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 1936 | name = Idaho Southern Branch | overall = 4–4 | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = no | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 1937 | name = Idaho Southern Branch | overall = 6–3 | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = no | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 1938 | name = Idaho Southern Branch | overall = 4–3 | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = no | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 1939 | name = Idaho Southern Branch | overall = 5–2{{efn|Idaho State claims a 5–2 record for the 1939 season; however, contemporary newspapers reported that the team actually lost its final game of the season, to Chaffey College,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97962792/chaffey-wins-against-idaho/ |title=Chaffey Wins Against Idaho |newspaper=Pomona Progress Bulletin |location=Pomona, California |page=10 |date=November 24, 1939 |accessdate=March 19, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97963146/chaffey-beats-branch-1413/ |title=Chaffey Beats Branch, 14–13 |agency=AP |newspaper=Idaho Statesman |location=Boise, Idaho |page=7 |date=November 25, 1939 |accessdate=March 19, 2022 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref> which would yield a 4–3 record.}} | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = no | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = | year = 1940 | name = Idaho Southern Branch | overall = 3–5 | conference = | confstanding = | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | bcsbowl = | ranking = no | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Idaho Southern Branch | overall = 29–17–1 | confrecord = }} {{CFB Yearly Record End | overall = 29–17–1 | bowls = no | poll = no | polltype = | legend = no }} Source:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://isubengals.com/sports/2014/3/9/FB_0309145742.aspx?id=160 |title=Year by Year Results |website=isubengals.com |accessdate=March 19, 2022}}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/guy-wicks-1.html Sports-Reference.com profile] *[http://www.lib.uidaho.edu/digital/lcoh/people/WICKS_Grace.html University of Idaho Library] – Latah County Oral History Collection – Grace Wicks

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wicks, Guy}} Category:1902 births Category:1968 deaths Category:Activists from Idaho Category:Basketball coaches from Idaho Category:College men's basketball head coaches in the United States Category:High school basketball coaches in Idaho Category:High school basketball coaches in Washington (state) Category:Idaho State Bengals athletic directors Category:Idaho State Bengals football coaches Category:Idaho State Bengals men's basketball coaches Category:Idaho Vandals baseball coaches Category:Idaho Vandals baseball players Category:Idaho Vandals men's basketball coaches Category:Sportspeople from Moscow, Idaho Category:20th-century American sportsmen