HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky softball player Lauryn Hicks has been named the 2022 recipient of the Horizon League's Bobby Fong Award for representing the conference's core values of integrity, respect and leadership.
 
The conference on Tuesday revealed that Hicks, a native of Kokomo, Ind., was chosen for contributions that align with those of the late Bobby Fong, Butler University's president from 2001-11. Dr. Fong served on the Horizon League Board of Directors from 2001-11, including a term as its chairman.
 
"Lauryn Hicks embodies the qualities Bobby treasured: a deep commitment to the service of others, a determination to build bridges between groups so that understanding leads to justice, resilience and persistence to achieve excellence in the face of difficulty," said Suzanne Fong, Bobby Fong's widow. "AND....she's a pitcher who excels at his favorite sport.  The Horizon League honors him by choosing such a fine woman to receive the Bobby Fong Award."
 
Hicks' passion for Norse softball, where she's among the team's starting pitchers, and dedication to others have underscored her standing as an exemplary student-athlete. Hicks, who's majoring in respiratory care, worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for a home healthcare company last year as sophomore. She assisted clients with activities of daily living during breaks from NKU. This year, she has a similar job working with adults with developmental disabilities in a group home.
 
Hicks has assisted initiatives such as the Buddy Walk, a fundraiser for Down syndrome, the Cincinnati Reds RBI program to revive baseball in the inner cities and Team Impact, the organization that matches children with illnesses with collegiate teams. She also has helped with the Jared Box Project's mission to provide hospitalized children with boxes of toys, games and books.
 
Propelled a passion for social justice, Hicks has represented the softball team on NKU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as well as Northern Kentucky on the Horizon League's SAAC. She has volunteered with OneHL Working Group, which seeks meaningful change and action to social issues across the Horizon League.
 
"Lauryn clearly personifies the Horizon League's values of integrity, respect and stewardship," said Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach. "Lauryn has taken incredible initiative and really stepped into a leadership role in the League as a member of our #OneHL and #HLSAAC groups and also represented the League at the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum this fall. She also leads on her campus and is an inspiration in her community, where she volunteers with many different organizations. She's a true inspiration and also excels on the softball field and in the classroom. We are grateful for Lauryn's impact and excited to name her this year's Bobby Fong Award winner."
 
Debbie Kirch, NKU's Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Services as well as Senior Woman Administrator, shared the sentiment. Kirch nominated Hicks for the award.
 
"Lauryn has proven to be an exceptional leader in SAAC. She truly represents all student-athletes. What makes Lauryn unique is her willingness to take initiative to get things accomplished. She also understands that being a student-athletes comes with a civic responsibility to be a role model and make a positive impact on her team, athletics department, university and community," Kirch said.
 
Norse softball coach Kathryn Gleason said Hicks "always seeks out leadership opportunities on campus, as well as in the community." 
 
"She strives to always help, lead, and serve those around her. Bobby Fong would be proud to have Lauryn represent his values and those of our program, our department, university, and the Horizon League Conference," Gleason said.
 
Hicks long has navigated personal adversity. She was diagnosed at age 12 with Von Willenbrand Disease, a disorder in which blood does not properly clot. Hicks, who grew up with an affinity for many sports, ultimately chose softball because of her passion for the game and ability to compete despite her condition. She takes extra precautions by wearing sliding shorts, a heart guard and a face mask to avoid bruising and injury.
 
Hicks suffered an ulnar fracture in her right arm last year and missed the last month of softball season. She has returned in strong fashion for her junior campaign.
 
She's the fourth Norse student-athlete to receive the Bobby Fong Award in its seven years of existence. Hicks joins track and field athlete Kayla Thompson (2021), women's soccer player Sami Rutowski (2017) and the 2018 NKU baseball team as NKU award recipients.
 
"I am honored to represent Northern Kentucky University and accept this year's Bobby Fong award," Hicks said. "I would like to thank Debbie Kirch for nominating me, and the Horizon League for selecting me for this award! It is amazing to know that members of the institution and the Horizon League thought of me out of the entire student athlete population. I am so grateful for the opportunities the Horizon League, Northern Kentucky, and the NKU softball program has brought me."