Tom Hicks, former owner of the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers, passed away at the age of 79 on Saturday.
Hicks was instrumental in forming the Dallas Stars into what the organization is today, having owned the team from 1995 to 2011. During that time, the Stars would secure multiple division titles, two Presidents’ Trophies, and the Stanley Cup in 1999.
Our franchise would not be in the position we are today without the ownership of Mr. Hicks,” the Dallas Stars said in a statement. “His legacy will be honored by our franchise for decades to come.”
Not only did Hicks mold the Stars and Texas Rangers franchises into championship-caliber organizations, but he was also part-owner of Liverpool and would go on to assist in the development of the Stars current home, the American Airlines Center.
Often in sports, the front office positions are a forgotten piece of the machine, but Hicks was a significant reason the machine was as well-oiled as it was. Seeing the rise of Mike Modano, the acquisition of recent Stars Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk, and the raising of the Stanley Cup. Tom Hicks was an instrumental piece in it all, plus countless other events and moves made under his ownership.
TIM SLOAN / AFP
“Being shoulder to shoulder with him was always about more than ballparks and stadiums, though,” Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. “It was about personal respect, trust, and friendship. We shared a lot of miles together, and I’ll miss him greatly. My heart goes out to his family.”
Hicks also served as a paratrooper in the Army Reserves and was Commissioner of the American Battle Monuments Commission. Hicks is survived by his wife of 35 years, his six children, and 14 grandchildren.
His children released a joint statement.
“Of everything he accomplished in his remarkable life, Tom Hicks’s most cherished title was, ‘Dad.’ No matter the trials and tribulations he faced in life, he was constant in his generosity and love for his family. He remains a guiding force for our family, and we are deeply honored to continue expanding his legacy. Although we are devastated by this loss, we are profoundly grateful to have been his children.”
Thank you for all the memories, Mr. Hicks.
The Morning Skate 