So much for the party.
Traci Hicks became the first person in her immediate family to graduate from college on Thursday, walking along with other UA student-athletes in their convocation.
For the Wildcats hurdler, it was a day years in the making.
And she had mere minutes to celebrate.
The Wildcats took off for the Pac-12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships immediately after the ceremony, taking Hicks and other teammates up to Seattle for a rendezvous with the conference’s elite.
For someone who has dedicated herself to track and staying on the right one, it’s only fitting.
“I was always interested in going to college,” said Hicks, who grew up in Long Beach, California, and attended the famed Poly High School.
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“I’ve been running track since 6 years old, and being around teammates, and eventually seeing them get full-ride scholarships, it was always one of my goals to use my passion and my sport and my craft and go somewhere.”
Arizona was the recipient of her services, as she’s been a five-time All-Pac-12 selection (three in 4X100 hurdles, two in 100m hurdles) and is now a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in general studies with an emphasis on social behavior and human understanding.
She hopes to put her degree to good use; she’d love to stay at Arizona and work as an academic counselor or adviser.
Hicks has already learned the effect education can have on someone’s life. She was inspired by teammates and cousins to pursue this path, and she’s already found herself being a mentor .
“I think it will definitely impact family members,” she said. “I have cousins who ran track and got scholarships, and it impacted me. Not only are you getting education, but you find yourself as an adult. Getting an education, staying focused.”
Hicks said she “found herself” in Tucson, where her family was inspired by her college decision.
She said her mother, Dianna Harris, instilled higher-education aspirations from childhood, even though she never went.
“My mom is very excited,” Hicks said. “This is a big moment. To see her youngest child graduating, it’s something she’s been preaching since the day I walked: ‘Traci that could be you.’ Staying in school, focus on academics, it will carry you a long way. It’s helped me to get through everyday living. When I picked Arizona, it showed I was making a decision to move on, to be independent and start something new for myself. Not just my sport and my school, but my life.”
And now, it’s over, earlier than she ever anticipated.
The plan is simple — Pac-12 championships, nationals, and then start finding a career in Tucson. Maybe travel.
Only one thing first.
“I’m going home end of July to have big graduation party,” Hicks said.
So it’s a little delayed. But so what?
