Gilbert Hicks, IV was a pillar in the banking community and a die-hard Texas Southern sports fan.  Today, the South East Houston Community Development Corporation (SEHCDC) honored the late Hicks by donating $10,000.00 to the TSU baseball program in his honor.

“Mr. Hicks was a proud, passionate and vocal supporter of TSU Athletics and he was not shy about sharing his feelings whether good or bad” says SEHCDC board member Rev. Manson B. Johnson, III.  “It is in his memory that we give this donation to the university he loved.”

Rev. Johnson presented the check to TSU baseball Head Coach Candy Robinson and Athletics Director Alois Blackwell in a ceremony in the TSU Student Recreation Center.

Coach Robinson says “this money will go a long way in helping us to continue building our program.  It is education first with my kids, and this scholarship will perpetuate our efforts.” 

The money was raised during several community events held after Hicks died in June 2003.   A memorial fund was established in September 2004.

Hicks was a strong and straight forward man who let you know what he thought when it came to sports at his alma mater.  But he did more than talk.  He showed his support by showing up at games and sharing his finances with the university he loved.

“This donation is right in line with what Mr. Hicks was all about “says Blackwell. “It takes support like this to build programs the community and alumni can be proud of.”

This was the first donation given to Texas Southern Athletics from the Gilbert Hicks Memorial Scholarship fund.

The SEHCDC is a Third Ward based, not for profit organization that develops affordable housing and cultivates job skills through computer and literacy classes.