Marty Hickman has been with the IHSA since 1991. (Photo courtesy IHSA)
By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – He's been executive director of the Illinois High School Association since 2001, but Marty Hickman has decided it's time for him to call it quits.
Hickman announced this week he'll be retiring at the beginning of 2016. He told WJBC the timing feels right.
"We're in a great place with a great board, a great staff, some of the most comprehensive programs in the country," said Hickman. "I just felt like it was a good time to let somebody else take over the helm."
Podcast: Hear Hickman's full conversation with WJBC.
Hickman was raised in New Berlin, Ill. and attended Eastern Illinois University after graduating from New Berlin High School. He began his career in education as a teacher and coach at Girard High School. He later served as the principal of Bluffs Jr.-Sr. High School, Westmer Secondary School, and was named the principal of Monmouth High School where he remained until joining the IHSA staff. He also went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield and his doctorate in education from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
Still, even after first joining the IHSA in 1991 he never thought he'd become executive director.
"I was a high school principal at Monmouth High School at the time and there was an administrative staff opening," said Hickman. "(I) never really expected it, but for me it's really been a dream come true kind of job."
When he looked back at his time with the organization, Hickman said one thing he's happiest about is the programs the IHSA has added.
"What our goal has been is to try to get an activity for every young person in every high school. That's why we've added bass fishing. That's why we've added programs like journalism, competitive cheer, competitive dance," he said.
The IHSA became the first state organization to offering bass fishing when it started the program in 2011.
There's still a year left before he steps aside and Hickman had a couple things on his list he'd like to see done over before 2016 begins, such as a resolution to a class action lawsuit involving concussions.
"It's a really important case for us and it's an important case for people across the country. It really threatens high school football in general," said Hickman. "One of the things I want to do over the last year is put all I can into making sure we're doing everything we can to defend that lawsuit."
Once he's done, Hickman wasn't sure what will be next.
"I'm going to spend the next few months trying to figure out what that is," said Hickman. "I have an administrative certificate that would permit me to be a school superintendent or continue to be a high school principal; I may get back into that. I wouldn't mind getting involved in maybe collegiate athletics somewhere."
Hickman added the IHSA has always had a great relationship with the local community.
"We have many of our premiere events here and we've always felt tremendously supported by the folks here," said Hickman. "For me personally, this is home for us; we've raised our kids here, our kids went to high school here, and it'll continue to be our home."
The IHSA board of directors will select Hickman's successor.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
