Dan Hicken
Born
Daniel Patrick Hicken

(1963-05-12) May 12, 1963
Buffalo, New York, U.S.
OccupationNewscast Sports Anchor
Notable credit(s)Evening Anchor/Sports Director for WTLV/WJXX 1986-2013
Senior Sports Anchor for WJAX-TV/WFOX-TV 2013-present
TitleSports Anchor
Spouse(s)Donna Clewis (divorced)
Reagan Hicken
Children3

Daniel Patrick Hicken (born May 12, 1963) has been a television sports news anchor since 1986 for two broadcasting groups in Jacksonville, Florida.

Career

Hicken graduated from the University of Florida. His first job in television was an internship with 12 News on WTLV in Jacksonville immediately after college graduation. He rose steadily at the station, becoming a sports producer in 1986, weekend sports anchor two years later, then sports director in 1991 after six years at WTLV.[1] Hicken personally reports on big local events, such as The Players Championship, Jacksonville Jaguars games and the Daytona 500. He also travels to national events with a Florida connection including national championship games for both the Gators and Seminoles.[2] On radio, he also hosts "The Drill" between on WJXL.[3][4]

Hicken's contract with First Coast News expired on May 31, 2013, and because they could not agree on the terms of a new contract, Hicken left the station and accepted a position with Jacksonville stations WJAX-TV and WFOX-TV.[5] However, his prior contract contained a non-compete clause which prohibited him from appearing on-air for six months, so he spent his time writing and developing sports stories until Thanksgiving had passed.[6]

Family

On March 16, 2003, Hicken wed Reagan Dowling, a special education teacher in Jacksonville.[7] He has three children: Danielle and Drew with his previous wife, Donna Deegan; and Brooks Dowling, from his second marriage.[8]

Community involvement

His community affiliations include the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation which provides money to help the families of children with leukemia; MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation which promotes academic achievement and positive life skills for youth through the game of tennis. Dan also participates in or MCs numerous benefit golf tournaments and charity events each year.[1][9][10][11]

Awards

Hicken was recognized for his sports knowledge and reputation by being selected as a voting sports journalist for the Heisman Trophy.[12] He won a regional Emmy for his series on Jacksonville's quest for an NFL team, and an award for the best sportscast in the state in 1992. [13] He received the 2008 Best Sportscast 1st place WTLV/WJXX "Sports Final",[14] and the 3rd place Sports Feature/Commentary – Television: Desire Street at the 2006 Sunshine State Awards. He has also been honored by Folio Weekly as Jacksonville's Best Sportscaster.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 First Coast News, Dan Hicken
  2. ↑ Hicken, Dan: First Coast News, January 9, 2007, 2009 BCS Championship
  3. ↑ "1010 XL - Weekday Lineup". Archived from the original on 2015-10-07. Retrieved 2015-10-06.
  4. ↑ "First Coast News Dan Hicken Bio". First Coast News. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  5. ↑ "Sports Director Dan Hicken leaving First Coast News after 27 years | firstcoastnews.com". Archived from the original on 2013-06-29. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  6. ↑ Elliott, Jeff. "Dan Hicken leaving First Coast News for TV-47/TV-30". Jacksonville.com. Florida Times Union. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
  7. ↑ Florida Times-Union: March 14, 2003-TV/Radio: Coughlin tells TV-12 about firing, future
  8. ↑ Florida Times-Union: Jan 22, 2005- TV-RADIO: Playoff games dominate area viewers' attention
  9. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2009-10-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Justice Coalition, Hicken MCs JC Event
  10. ↑ Archived 2009-02-14 at the Wayback Machine Habitat for Humanity, First Annual Golf Tournament
  11. ↑ Rotary Club, March 2009, "22nd Annual All County Academic Football Team Recognition Banquet"
  12. ↑ Archived 2009-12-12 at the Wayback Machine Stiff Arm Trophy website, Heisman Voter List
  13. ↑ "Associated Press website: 2004 Florida AP Broadcasters Competition Best Sportscast in MEDIUM MARKET TELEVISION". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2007-09-09. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  14. ↑ "Associated Press website: 2008 Florida AP Broadcasters Competition Best Sportscast in MEDIUM MARKET TELEVISION". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2007-09-09. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  15. ↑ Archived 2009-12-12 at the Wayback Machine Folio Weekly, "Best of Jacksonville '08"
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