BY MELANIE TAMAYO
Senior athlete Brady Hicks is a standout both on and off the field. He serves as the President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Parliamentarian for National Honor Society and plays varsity football and lacrosse. He’s a BCAA Scholar Athlete and has received the Brian Piccolo Scholar Athlete Award.
Hicks’ journey in sports began early and has always been about more than just competition.
“I was always an active kid growing up who loved sports and being part of a team,” Hicks said. “From t-ball to flag football, Cooper City High School gave me the chance to try new sports and do it alongside some of my closest friends.”
Like many student-athletes, Hicks has faced the challenge of balancing sports with academics.
“Being a student-athlete is not always easy—managing practice, games, and events, while staying on top of school and work,” Hicks said. “But it’s given me a lot of opportunities to make new friends and have experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise. The structure helps keep me organized.”
A major part of Hicks’ high school experience has been his leadership in FCA.
“Being the FCA President has been an extraordinary experience. It connects my love of sports with my faith, and it’s helped me grow closer to my peers who share those same values,” Hicks said. “Together, we’ve built stronger relationships through something so much bigger than our sports.”
Hicks credits Coach Taylor as one of the most influential figures during his years at CCHS.
“Coach Taylor has left a huge impact on me not only as a student and athlete, but as a person,” Hicks said. “He helped me become a better leader and showed me how the lessons on the field apply to life. He’s been a huge supporter of FCA and making sure our team is involved in more than just football.”
Mr. Scott Sodergren, CCHS teacher and FCA sponsor, spoke on Hicks’ impact on campus.
“Brady is what it means to be a scholar-athlete and serves as a great role model to fellow students,” Sodergren said.
Peers share the same sentiment as Sodergren.
“Brady is a great student-athlete,” senior Lola McClure said. “He’s always involved and really considerate of others. We’ve been playing lacrosse together since freshman year, and he’s just the kind of teammate youwant by your side.”
As Hicks prepares to graduate this year, he will be attending Florida State University with a major in business.
