Dan Hicks Made You Feel Seen and Heard

What a week with a legend taught me about what matters most

From the moment we’re born, there are a few things we desperately seek.

Maslow laid out the basics. Food. Water. Shelter. Community. But woven through all of it is something simpler.

We want to be seen and heard.

We lost Dan Hicks, far too soon. And as I read tribute after tribute today, the same thread kept showing up. No matter who you were, no matter where you were, Dan made you feel seen and heard.

For most of my life, I knew Dan as a voice. The Olympics. Golf. Notre Dame. So many of the biggest moments in sports.

This season, in Week 3, I got to know him as a partner.

We spent a week preparing for Indiana against Western Kentucky. On our calls we’d dig into the Hoosiers’ defensive scheme and who Western Kentucky would start at quarterback. But Dan always circled back to the same place.

Our families. The things that matter most.

When we landed and got in the car together, we didn’t talk about Curt Cignetti. We didn’t talk about the upcoming production meeting.

Dan just gushed. About his wife and how they met. About his daughters, their dreams, and where they were in the world.

I sat back in awe. Here was a legend. A titan. A giant in our industry. And what he wanted to talk about was the people he loved most.

At dinner that night, he talked about balancing life as a father, a husband, and a professional. I hung on every word. So did our crew.

Then came the production meeting. Coach Cignetti walked in, and the first thing he told Dan was that he already knew all about his career. He’d just Googled him.

The whole room laughed. You could feel the gravitas Dan carried. And of course, he brushed it right off and made it all about Coach and his Hoosiers.

On game day, we rode together from Indianapolis to Bloomington. Forty-five minutes. And for the entire drive, he asked about me. My family. My path. My kids, my wife, my dreams.

And he listened.

I felt seen and heard.

Then he went out and absolutely crushed the broadcast. Because of course he did.

After the game, as we were about to go our separate ways, he left me with something I’ll carry for the rest of my career.

That was fun. Make sure you keep it fun. After all, it’s sports, and they’re meant to be. And don’t get wrapped up in what this profession can sometimes do to people. Remember the things that matter most. Pour into them. And be present with your family. They are everything.

I only had a handful of days with Dan. I can’t imagine what his family is going through right now, or the people who knew him for decades.

But I know I speak for hundreds, if not thousands, of us who got to work alongside him.

We are all so grateful for the time together.
We are all so grateful he made everyone feel seen and heard, no matter their role.
We are all so grateful for the wisdom he shared.

And after reading countless tributes to the man Dan is, I know anyone who was around him will compete to honor him in the best way they can.

So today, call someone you love. Ask about their family. Their dreams. Where they are in the world.

Then just listen. Just like Dan would.

Much love and stay steady,

Yogi