Hicks, Barto added to All Sports Association Hall of Fame

ohn Hicks Honored as a “Life Changer” at All Sports Banquet

Former Okaloosa County Judge and multisport standout for the Niceville Eagles Mike Flowers hagiographized Coach John Hicks for the luncheon crowd. Hicks, who led the Eagles as a defensive coordinator under Frank Sorrels during their 1988 state championship run, served almost two decades as the head ball coach and athletic director at Niceville. During his time as the leader of the Eagles, Hicks led the team to two state championship games, two more final four appearances and was recognized as the 4A coach of the year in 2009. He was also on the coaching staff at Port St. Joe that won a state title in 1984. 

Flowers told the 200 people in attendance that Hicks’s greatness didn’t come from what he did on the field, but by the young men his football program produced. He remembers standing on the sidelines for the Niceville game against Milton in 2025 and being approached by a young man, the young man’s girlfriend and another friend. The young man shook Hicks’s hand and walked away. As he walked out – the girlfriend ask the young man whose hand he just shook. The young man replied, “‘That’s Coach Hicks, he changed my life,’” Flowers remembered. “There’s never been a more deserving coach to be awarded what he’s been awarded today,” Flowers added. 

Hicks spoke to the audience as well, telling them that every good coach needs, “an attorney, a pastor, a therapist and a lot of good friends,” to a chorus of laughter. Hicks thanked the many coaches he worked with for four decades across the panhandle – many of whom were in attendance for the ceremony. 

In addition to football – Hicks talked about his time as the athletic director at Niceville – including his mission to properly implement Title IX, which ensured equal opportunities for girls in athletics in schools that take federal funding. “I had two girls, that was really important to me,” Hicks said, “The other thing is a little selfish, because I absolutely wanted to win everything we did at Niceville High School. I wanted every program to succeed and be an example for others. And that’s just the competitive nature that comes out in you. I don’t think it takes anything away from your football program, that you’ve got a great girls’ softball program.”

Hicks concluded by telling the audience that his favorite memory was the Eagles’ long playoff run in 2013. Hicks described that team as a group of young men who “grew up wanting to be a Niceville football player,” and were welded into “well-prepared, well-disciplined, well-trained Niceville Eagles.” That team fell in the state title game 55-39 to an undefeated Dwyer Panther squad that featured at least five Division I recruits and NFL player Shawn Boone. 

Danton Barto honored by former teammates during All Sports hall of fame induction ceremony

Former all-state and University of Memphis linebacker Danton Beard also received mention as the second hall of fame inductee for 2026. 

Barto, who died from complications from COVID-19, was represented by his brother and sister at the ceremony. The former Eagle still holds the record for career tackles at the University of Memphis – and earned a reputation quickly in high school after outmuscling several seniors in drills at his first practice as a high schooler. 

Teammate, and co-worker at the Los Angeles Rams, Taylor Morton spoke about the player who “wasn’t real tall, wasn’t real fast and wasn’t real athletic,” but was recognized as a full tilt football player. 

RELATED: One state championship, one Super Bowl ring, NHS Alum Morton talks ‘22 Football. 

Morton smiled broadly as he told the audience about how the hours before this banquet would go if Barto were there in the flesh. “I was getting ready this morning. I wear a tie about one weekend a year, but I could just imagine Barto having to wear a tie this morning. I could just hear him say, ‘Mort, are you sure we have to wear a tie this morning?’ and ‘What kind of grub is going to be there?”

Current Niceville assistant coach Adron Robinson spoke about his fellow teammate, who served as team captain during the Eagles ‘88 State Championship run, as well. “When I saw what type of person he was, what type of friend he was, what type of man he was, it was easy to follow him,” Robinson said. “It’s not easy to follow someone as a high school kid, but he was just such a natural leader that it was really easy. I just want to say I miss him.”

Coach Hicks closed out the comments by comparing Barto to Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. “They asked [Florida State Head Coach] Bobby Bowden, ‘Is Tebow the best player you’ve ever coached against?’ 

‘He’s a great player,’ Hicks remembered Bowden saying, ‘But I don’t know I can say he’s the [greatest player he’s coached against.] I can say he’s the best leader I’ve ever seen in college football.’ Well, Dan Barto was the best leader that I’ve ever seen in football. Unquestioned. It’s him.”