Cal captain makes significant impact on and off the field, serves as role model and inspiration for young student-athletes.
LANGHORNE, PA (February 1, 2022) – Pop Warner
Little Scholars, the nation’s longest-serving and most prestigious youth
football organization, today announced that California six-time game
captain Elijah Hicks, a third team All-American, first team All-Pac-12
safety and active participant in fighting hunger and poverty in the
community, has been named the 12th Pop Warner National College Football Award winner for embodying the ideals of a student-athlete.
Established in 2010, the Pop Warner College Football Award recognizes a
senior who shows exceptional leadership on the field, in the classroom
and in the community.
On the field, Hicks built an impressive resume over the course of five
seasons. He totaled 213 tackles with 14.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks,
five interceptions and six forced fumbles while playing in all 54 games
possible with 46 starts. In his senior season, Hicks co-led the Pac-12
with four forced fumbles, while adding 72 tackles and three
interceptions, all career highs.
Hicks is participating in the East-West Shrine Bowl on February 3, the
longest running college all-star football game in the nation. He will be
presented the Pop Warner College Football Player of the Year Award at a
team ceremony February 2.
Off
the field, Hicks’ resume becomes even more impressive. He earned an
undergraduate degree in American Studies before adding two graduate
certificates in entrepreneurship and business administration. His
success in the classroom solidified him as a semifinalist for the
prestigious Campbell Trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman.
Outside the classroom, Hicks dedicated himself to making a meaningful
impact in his community. Inspired by his own personal story, he
established a non-profit, Intercept Poverty Foundation, aimed at combating poverty on college campuses by helping low income students overcome financial roadblocks.
Through his non-profit, Hicks has led a number of initiatives, including
a partnership with No Kid Hungry that raised nearly $70,000 to feed
children of families adversely affected by COVID-19 and an emergency
grant program with Scholarship America that awards relief funds to Cal
students in need of financial aid. Additionally, Hicks has spent many
hours volunteering at the UC Berkeley Food Pantry in the school's Basic
Needs Center.
Hicks’ dedication in the classroom and impact in the community has
earned him a number of accolades including Cal's Jonathan and Judy Hoff
Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year, AFCA All-State Good Works Team®
member, Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist and two-time Jason Witten
Collegiate Man of the Year Award semifinalist.
“Elijah’s accomplishments on the field are enough for celebration, but
his commitment to his studies, his team and his community make him a
true embodiment of Pop Warner and a role model for the next generation
of young student-athletes,” said Jon Butler, executive director of Pop
Warner Little Scholars. “Each year we are impressed by the nominations
for this award and the stories about college football players whose
exploits on the field are well known but who are also working diligently
in the classroom and study hall to get great grades while giving back
to others in the community. The balance exhibited on and off the field
by our finalists this year is beyond impressive. Elijah is the
definition of difference maker and we are honored to have him among our
incredible list of Pop Warner College Football Award winners.”
"Elijah Hicks is very deserving of the Pop Warner College Football
Award,” said Cal coach Justin Wilcox. “He takes a great deal of pride in
everything he is involved with including football, academics and his
work in the community. It has been a pleasure to coach and get to know
Elijah over the past five years. He is a tremendous representative of
our university and what college football is all about.”
Last year’s winner was former Notre Dame and current New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Ian Book.
The other 2021 finalists were:
- Sean Clifford, Penn State quarterback
- James Empey, BYU center
- Pat Fields, Oklahoma safety
- Joshua Paschal, Kentucky defensive end
- Shea Pitts, UCLA defensive back
About Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.
Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Langhorne, PA, Pop Warner Little
Scholars is the nation’s oldest youth football, cheerleading and dance
organization and the only youth sports organization that emphasizes
academics as a prerequisite for participation. Pop Warner participants
enjoy the opportunity to learn and compete in their sports in an
atmosphere that emphasizes fun, safety, academics and character. For
more information on Pop Warner and its programs visit popwarner.com or follow Pop Warner on Twitter @Pop_Warner, Facebook @PopWarnerLittleScholars, Instagram @popwarnerlittlescholars and Snap @popwarner1929.