The Fraternity is saddened by the passing of Brother R. Steven “Steve” Hicks, Texas-Austin ’72. Greatly admired for his success as a businessman, he was also committed to helping others.

A U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Hicks pursued a degree in government at the University of Texas-Austin. In college, he helped establish an impressive Texas Alpha SigEp legacy that included siblings Tom and Bill, as well as four nephews and his two stepsons. Hicks, who served as chapter president while an undergraduate, once shared with the SigEp Journal that the Fraternity was “like a second family to me.”

Hicks worked as a DJ for KLVI, the family-run radio station, and returned to serve as national sales manager after graduation. He later purchased it from his father, turning that one station into what would eventually become Capstar Broadcasting Corp., the largest radio station holding company in the country. Later, under the Capstar Partners umbrella, he expanded his business interests to include healthcare, financial services and additional media companies.

He was actively engaged in his local community, supporting numerous organizations, and founded the Hicks Family Ranch at Austin Recovery as a resource for people in recovery.

A member of the University of Texas System Board of Regents from 2009 to 2023, Hicks served as vice chairman from 2011 to 2017. His transformational, multimillion gift to UT Austin’s School of Social Work in 2017 endowed scholarships and expanded research opportunities for students in the field. The university renamed the school the Steve Hicks School of Social Work in his honor.

He was also passionate about supporting his undergraduate chapter and did so in many ways over the years. Notably, he contributed financially to rebuilding the chapter facility after it was severely damaged in a fire and to the later addition of the Hicks Family Pavilion. But he gave something much more valuable than money; he gave his time. He never refused an ask from Texas Alpha.

In 1999, the Fraternity awarded Hicks the SigEp Citation in recognition of his many professional accomplishments. The award was presented to Hicks by his brother Tom, a 1987 Citation recipient.

Some of the many brothers who knew and loved Brother Hicks shared their memories of him:

“Steve first came to UT as a somewhat quiet and shy person, but all that changed, thanks to SigEp and the Texas Silver Spurs. He became a chapter leader, first as state recruitment chair, then as president, following his big brother Tom. He gave to Austin in a big way; I dare say few people have given so generously to the city he loved. What I remember most about Steve is his uncanny, dry wit and sharp mind. I will miss him dearly. Hard, if not impossible, to replace a friend and brother of over 50 years.” — Mark Kiester, Texas-Austin ’71

“Steve was always willing to give of his time and resources when called upon by the chapter, as evidenced by his induction into the Texas Alpha Hall of Fame and by the Hicks Family Pavilion at the chapter house. Beyond his commitment to Texas Alpha, Steve built an exemplary career filled with business success and dedicated many years and resources to serving the University of Texas as a regent and providing a transformative million gift to the School of Social Work that now bears his name. Steve’s long legacy of deep relationships fostered over decades of involvement with SigEp will be dearly cherished by the brothers left behind, and his example of service and leadership will inspire many generations of Texas Alpha members to come.”
— Greg Barra, Texas-Austin ’03
President, Texas Alpha Education Foundation

“Steve was eight years ahead of me. When we first met, I was a thirty-something alum trying to find his place in Austin commerce. In his business life, Steve was renowned for his steady, reserved and fearless demeanor. However, on a personal level and as a brother, I found him to be caring, accessible, compassionate and always ready to serve. Whether hosting an event, leading a capital campaign, speaking at a leadership conference, or just listening and advising, he’s always been there for us. We stood on his shoulders, and he lifted us up. We’ll miss him dearly.” — Jerry A. Smith Jr., Texas-Austin ’79

“Steve opened that red door when I decided to be an active brother, and he made a new home for me. I had been initiated at Sam Houston State, hoping to play college basketball. When that did not work out, I transferred to UT. One semester at UT convinced me to return to SigEp. With no checking at all, Steve brought me into the house and found a room for me to share, and I was a happy brother for the rest of my college life. I talked with Steve not too long before his death and reminded him of this. His response was, ‘And I would do it again.’ Rest in peace, brother!” — Steve McCown, Texas-Austin ’72

The Fraternity is saddened by the passing of Brother Tom Hicks, Texas-Austin ’68, a longtime donor and volunteer, SigEp Citation recipient, and businessman.

As a member of SigEp’s Texas Alpha chapter, Hicks played a major role in raising the chapter’s profile and laying the foundation for its decades-long run as one of the university’s leading fraternities. Revered in his own right, Hicks is also remembered for launching a storied Texas Alpha SigEp legacy that includes younger siblings Steve and Bill, his son Bradley, and three nephews.

His influence is still deeply felt at Texas Alpha, echoing throughout the chapter’s impressive home. In the early 2000s, Hicks led a successful capital campaign that raised nearly $3 million to renovate and expand the chapter facility.

On the national level, Hicks was not only a loyal donor, but also actively involved in the Fraternity as a trustee of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation. Hicks was a Foundation trustee for 10 years, serving for two years as treasurer.

Hicks also touched the lives of young brothers through a scholarship he endowed for undergraduates who struggled academically early on but significantly improved their grades.

An astute businessman, Hicks co-founded two major private equity firms in the 1980s, one of which facilitated the landmark merger of 7Up and Dr. Pepper. He branched out into the sports industry in the ’90s, becoming one of the few people to own teams in the NHL, MLB and Premier League at the same time.

His success in finance and sports brought Hicks numerous awards and honors, including the Henry Cohn Humanitarian Award from the Anti-Defamation League and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Texas Alumni Association. In 2022, he was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. He was also named to the University of Texas System Board of Regents, serving from 1994 to 1999.

In recognition of his professional accomplishments, the Fraternity awarded Hicks the SigEp Citation in 1987.

One of the many brothers who knew and loved brother Hicks shared this story of how his early days in the Fraternity later profoundly impacted SigEp:

“Tom was rush captain in 1966 when I joined SigEp. A year later, he was an important factor in Don McCleary joining the Fraternity, making Tom the only person I know of in SigEp to pledge two future Grand Presidents. We didn’t know then that it was meaningful, but it later influenced the course of SigEp due to Don’s pathbreaking leadership in the creation of our balanced man initiative.” — Gary Griffith, Texas-Austin ’70, Past Grand President

His children released a joint statement expressing gratitude for their father:

“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.”

John Tyler, a distinguished Order of the Golden Heart recipient, is fondly remembered for his unwavering service, mentorship, and commitment to always putting people first.