Kat equipment manager to join Cowboys staff
4/17/2014 3:16:00 PM | Football
Four-year Sam Houston State football equipment manager Jason Hicks has landed a paid internship in the same position with the Dallas Cowboys which he will begin on Monday.
Hicks, who earned his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology last December, will be interning with Dallas through January and will be assisting the Cowboys in a variety of areas including rookie minicamp, organized team activities (OTA's), training camp in Oxnard, Calif. as well as in season travel.
“I really didn't think the odds were good but I kept in contact with the Cowboys since December after the playoffs and they kept me in mind,” Hicks said. “Coach (Willie) Fritz and Robby Discher helped me out. They helped me with my resume and get it over to them.”
While at SHSU, Hicks' duties included setting up the practice field, working headsets during the games as well as responsibilities associated with travel amongst numerous others.
The recent graduate's journey with Sam Houston has taught him not only about the duties of equipment manager but also perseverance and time management.
“I had a lot of responsibility because I had school, I worked 40 hours a week at Wal-Mart and I did equipment manager here,” Hicks said. “I had to revolve my work schedule around practices and make sure I was on time. I was beat up every day and I knew somehow it would pay off. I stuck in there whenever I was down and God was watching over me.”
The Bearkat says he is excited for the opportunity and thanks the Kats coaching staff for all their assistance.
“I'd like to thank Coach Fritz and his whole staff,” Hicks said. “As well as Robby Discher, coach (Doug) Ruse, (Johnny) Jernigan, coach (Matt) Barrett, coach (Scott) Stoker, coach (Mike) Collins, coach (Bart) Tatum and coach (Anthony) Johnson for their help and working with me.”
