[September 7, 2006]

MAGNOLIA, Ark. - Robin “Rob” Hicklin, former head football coach at Southern Arkansas University, died September 1 in Joplin, Mo., following a brief illness.

Hicklin coached the Muleriders from 1986 through 1989. He was born August 6, 1937 in Nelson, Mo.

While at Southern Arkansas, Hicklin brought in Jay Adcox as his defensive coordinator. Adcox served as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator under Hicklin and Hicklin’s successor, Don Tumey, for eight years, and is now in his ninth year as director of athletics at SAU. In 1987, Hicklin’s Muleriders upset Morehead State (Ky.) University, an NCAA Division I-AA team, 38-23, on the road. The head coach suffered a heart attack during the game, but fully recovered to continue his career.

After a long coaching career, Hicklin was retired at the Lake of the Ozarks since 2002, but continued to scout for the Canadian Football League. Before arriving at Southern Arkansas, Hicklin was the head coach at Missouri Western State University (1974-85), was the defensive coordinator at William Penn University (1969-74), and was a high school coach in Missouri from 1959 through 1969.

Hicklin earned his bachelor’s degree from Missouri Valley College, his master’s from Central Missouri State University, and an education specialist degree from Arkansas State University.

A member of the Ozark Chapel United Methodist Church, Hicklin is survived by his wife Maryln, son Robin and wife Cherona, three daughters, Tracie Skaggs and husband Derek, Shelly Perez and husband Alex, and LeeAnn Halliburton and husband Robert, one brother, and six grandchildren. Robin played football for his dad at SAU, Derek Skaggs played basketball at SAU, and Robert Halliburton was on the Mulerider baseball team.

A private family graveside service was held at Garber Memorial Estates Cemetery in Laurie, Mo., and a memorial service was held Wednesday at Ozark Chapel United Methodist Church in Laurie. A celebration of life followed in the fellowship hall at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Rob Hicklin Western Football Memorial Scholarship Fund, Missouri Western State University Foundation, Spratt 111, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, or the Ozark Chapel United Methodist Church Building Fund, 305 N. Main St., P.O. Box 1096, Laurie, MO 65038. Sympathy emails may be sent to www.kidwellgarber.com.

#SAU#