Baseball: Hicks Earns Senior CLASS Award First-Team All-American Honors

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Senior reliever Matt Hicks was tabbed a first-team All-American by the Senior CLASS Award, Premiere Sports Management announced this week. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

“I can’t be more proud of Matt and everything he has done for this program and university,” head coach Tony Robichaux said. “He exemplifies what it means to be a student-athlete and never let the adversity in his life keep him from striving to achieve more. We relied on Matt a lot this season and he was someone we could count on out of the bullpen. What he has done here in four years is truly amazing from his involvement in the community to his leadership both on the field and in the classroom.”

Hicks joins 2014 award winner Andrew Morales, UC Irvine; Kevin Courtney, Stony Brook; Dustin DeMuth, Indiana; and Jeff Gardner, Louisville on the first-team.

A native of Bridge City, Texas, Hicks finished his career at Louisiana with a 17-5 record in 96 appearances and had a 3.16 ERA in 148 innings with 104 strikeouts. Hicks’ best season came in final year with the program boasting an 8-1 record with a 1.41 ERA in 44.2 innings with 41 strikeouts.

The senior holds the school record for both saves in a season and career with 11 in his junior campaign and 16 in his career.

Hicks recently graduated with degrees in both biology and chemistry and will start dental school this fall.

Senior CLASS Award First-Team All-Americans

Kevin Courtney, Stony Brook  

Dustin DeMuth, Indiana          

Jeff Gardner, Louisville           

Matt Hicks, Louisiana

Andrew Morales, UC Irvine                  

Senior CLASS Award Second-Team All-Americans

Tim Colwell, North Dakota State         

Clinton Freeman, East Tennessee State         

Mark Payton, Texas    

AJ Salcines, Miami (Fla.)       

Ryan Thompson, Campbell

— Ragin’ Cajuns —