Timothy "Tim" Hickey
Biography (1942–2023)
Timothy Dennis Hickey was a transformative figure in international track and field, specifically credited with revolutionizing girls' and women’s athletics in Philadelphia and beyond. Born in Muncie, Indiana, on October 12, 1942, Hickey was a standout athlete and valedictorian at Parker High School before attending Ball State University on a scholarship. He later earned a master’s degree from Indiana University.
His coaching journey began globally when he served in the Peace Corps from 1965 to 1968, coaching the national track and basketball teams in Tanzania. Upon returning to the United States, he settled in Philadelphia, where he recognized a significant lack of competitive opportunities for female athletes.
Hickey is most famously associated with William Penn High School, (as well as West Philadelphia Catholic, and Swenson Arts & Tech High Schools) where he built a dynasty that became a national standard. Under his leadership, his teams won 546 of 551 regular-season meets and secured 23 Public League championships in 29 years. His impact extended into the club circuit as the founder of the Padukies Track Club (later known as the Klub Keystone Track Club), which provided a high-intensity training environment that produced world-class talent and set long-standing National Junior Olympic records.
Remembrance: A Hall of Fame Legacy
Tim Hickey was not just a coach; he was a "master motivator" and a cornerstone of the Philadelphia sporting community. Known for his mantra, "As long as it benefits the kids, it’s alright with me," he often overcame systemic obstacles—such as a lack of facilities—by training his athletes on city sidewalks and neighborhood streets.
His excellence was recognized with inductions into several prestigious institutions:
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National High School Track and Field Hall of Fame (2021)
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Middle Atlantic Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Hall of Fame (2019)
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Armory Track Coaches Hall of Fame (2016)
Hickey’s influence remains visible today through the Delaware Valley Girls Track Coaches Association (DVGTCA), an organization he founded to support female athletes. His passing in June 2023 at the age of 80 was met with a massive outpouring of grief from the thousands of athletes, male and female, he mentored and coached. His legacy continues to be honored annually through the Tim Hickey Relays (PPL) and the DVGTCA Tim Hickey Meet of Champions, ensuring that his commitment to youth and excellence in sport continues for generations to come.
Written By: Jerome Lowery, EdD
Sources:
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Hinson, O. (2023) Pennsylvania Track And Field Legend Tim Hickey Passes Away. Pa Milesplit US.
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AAU Middle Atlantic District, Tim Hickey Hall Of Fame
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Miles, G. (2023) Tim Hickey, hall of fame Philadelphia high school track and field coach, and longtime teacher, has died at 80. Philadelphia Inquirer.
