Dan Hicks Parents: Meet Jim and Diane Hicks, the Family Behind the NBC Sports Legend

Dan Hicks’ family has returned to public attention following the unexpected passing of the longtime NBC Sports broadcaster at age 64. His wife, Hannah Storm, confirmed that he passed away following an acute illness, prompting tributes from colleagues, athletes and viewers who remembered his remarkable career. As fans reflect on his achievements, interest has also grown in his parents, Jim and Diane Hicks, who supported his broadcasting ambitions from childhood.

Dan Hicks was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, where his parents encouraged his interest in sports and television commentary. His father, Jim Hicks, and mother, Diane Hicks, watched their youngest child develop from a boy pretending to announce sporting events in his bedroom into one of America’s most recognizable sports broadcasters. He also grew up with two sisters, making him the youngest of three children.

Who Are Dan Hicks’ Parents?

Dan Hicks’ parents are Jim Hicks and Diane Hicks, longtime residents of Tucson, Arizona.

The couple raised three children, including Dan and his two older sisters. Their family life was closely connected to Tucson, where Dan attended school, developed his interest in athletics and began his broadcasting career.

Jim and Diane were married for 52 years when they participated in a newspaper interview in February 2006. Both were 72 at the time.

During that interview, they recalled their son’s early enthusiasm for sports and his determination to become a professional broadcaster.

Although neither parent became a nationally recognized public figure, their recollections provide a personal perspective on Dan’s childhood and career development.

Who Was Dan Hicks’ Father Jim Hicks?

Jim Hicks was the father of NBC Sports commentator Dan Hicks.

He lived in Tucson with his wife, Diane, and raised their three children in the Arizona community.

Jim became publicly known through interviews discussing his son’s career in sports broadcasting.

In a 2006 interview, he explained that Dan had always enjoyed athletics but eventually recognized that broadcasting offered a better opportunity to remain involved in sports professionally.

That realization helped shape Dan’s career ambitions.

Jim also recalled the moment his son left Tucson to pursue a position at CNN in Atlanta.

The move represented a major turning point because Dan was leaving the city where he had grown up and begun working in local media.

His father remembered watching him drive away in a small truck, beginning the next stage of his professional journey.

What Did Jim Hicks Say About His Son’s Career?

Jim Hicks expressed considerable pride in Dan’s professional accomplishments.

During his 2006 interview, he identified two particularly memorable moments from his son’s career.

The first was Dan securing a position at CNN, which provided an opportunity to move from local broadcasting into national television.

The second involved his son’s determination to pursue sports journalism from an early age.

Jim recognized that Dan had developed a realistic understanding of his athletic abilities and professional opportunities.

Rather than abandoning his interest in sports, Dan found another way to participate in the industry.

His father also explained that watching sporting events became more enjoyable after Dan began covering them professionally.

Golf, in particular, became a greater part of the family’s television viewing because of his son’s work.

Who Was Dan Hicks’ Mother Diane Hicks?

Diane Hicks was Dan Hicks’ mother and one of the earliest witnesses to his passion for broadcasting.

She raised Dan and his two sisters in Tucson, Arizona.

Diane recalled that her son began pretending to announce sporting events when he was still a young boy.

He would spend time in his bedroom practicing the type of commentary he hoped to deliver professionally.

According to Diane, Dan was remarkably certain about his future career.

He frequently talked about wanting to work for NBC Sports long before he had any professional broadcasting experience.

Her memories suggest that Dan’s career ambitions were not a sudden decision made during college.

Instead, his interest developed during childhood and remained consistent as he grew older.

Diane later watched her son achieve the exact professional goal he had described years earlier.

Diane Hicks Remembered Dan’s Childhood Broadcasting Dreams

One of the most memorable details about Dan Hicks’ childhood came from his mother’s recollections.

Diane explained that Dan would imitate sports announcers while playing in his room.

He was fascinated by the voices and personalities associated with televised sporting events.

Even as a child, he imagined himself working for NBC Sports.

That ambition eventually became reality when he joined the network in 1992.

His mother also discussed how the family followed his career from Arizona.

Because Dan lived on the opposite side of the country, television broadcasts provided an opportunity for his parents to see him regularly.

Diane joked that watching him on television helped them check how he was doing.

Her comments offered a glimpse into the affectionate relationship between Dan and his parents.

Where Was Dan Hicks Born and Raised?

Dan Hicks was born on June 2, 1962, in Tucson, Arizona.

He grew up in the city alongside his two older sisters.

His childhood included a strong interest in athletics, particularly basketball and baseball.

He attended Sabino High School, where he participated in basketball.

However, his interest in sports extended beyond playing.

As a teenager, he enjoyed listening to legendary baseball broadcaster Vin Scully.

Scully’s distinctive storytelling style helped inspire Dan’s interest in sports commentary.

Hicks also practiced announcing baseball games while sitting in the stands at Hi Corbett Field.

He sometimes brought a tape recorder and created his own play-by-play descriptions of Tucson Toros games.

These early experiences helped develop the broadcasting skills that eventually became central to his career.

Did Dan Hicks Have Any Siblings?

Dan Hicks grew up with two older sisters.

He was the youngest of Jim and Diane Hicks’ three children.

In a 2004 interview, Dan explained that his parents and one of his sisters were still living in Tucson.

He also mentioned having an aunt and uncle in the area.

His comments demonstrated that the family maintained strong connections to their hometown even after his career took him to national television.

However, the names and professional backgrounds of his sisters have not been extensively documented in reliable public sources.

Unlike Dan, they generally remained outside the public spotlight.

Their family relationship was part of his longstanding connection to Arizona.

Dan Hicks’ Education at the University of Arizona

After graduating from Sabino High School, Dan Hicks attended the University of Arizona.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 1984.

During college, he became involved in student media and sports broadcasting activities.

He worked as a sports editor for the university’s student newspaper.

He also gained experience as a public address announcer at university sporting events.

His assignments included football, basketball and baseball.

These opportunities allowed him to develop confidence and practical broadcasting skills.

Hicks later recalled enjoying his college years and maintaining considerable affection for Tucson.

In a 2004 interview, he discussed returning to the university with his wife and children.

The visit allowed him to show his family where he had studied and begun developing his career.

How Did Dan Hicks Begin His Broadcasting Career?

Dan Hicks began his professional broadcasting career in Tucson after graduating from college.

In 1984, he worked as a sports anchor and news reporter for local radio stations KCEE and KWFM.

He subsequently moved into television at KVOA, the NBC affiliate in Tucson.

There, he worked as a weekend sports anchor and reporter.

The position provided valuable experience covering sporting events and delivering reports for television audiences.

In 1989, Hicks accepted a position at CNN in Atlanta.

The move was particularly important because it introduced him to a national audience.

At CNN, he worked on sports programming and developed his skills as a television presenter.

Three years later, he joined NBC Sports, fulfilling the childhood ambition his mother had remembered.

Dan Hicks’ Career at NBC Sports

Dan Hicks joined NBC Sports in 1992 and remained associated with the network for more than three decades.

He became particularly well known for his coverage of professional golf.

In 2000, he took over as NBC’s lead golf play-by-play commentator.

His assignments included the U.S. Open, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and other major tournaments.

One of his most memorable broadcasts came during the 2008 U.S. Open, when Tiger Woods made a dramatic putt to force a playoff against Rocco Mediate.

Hicks also became a familiar voice during Olympic swimming competitions.

He called major achievements involving Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky and other internationally recognized athletes.

His Olympic work extended to alpine skiing and speed skating.

He also covered Notre Dame football, professional basketball and NFL games.

His versatility established him as one of the most respected broadcasters of his generation.

Dan Hicks’ Wife and Children

Dan Hicks was married to ESPN sports anchor Hannah Storm.

The couple met while working at CNN in 1989.

Their professional relationship eventually developed into a romance.

They married on January 8, 1994, and remained together for more than 32 years.

Hicks and Storm had three daughters named Hannah, Ellery and Riley.

The family established their home in Connecticut while both parents continued working in sports broadcasting.

Storm developed a successful career at CNN, NBC, CBS and ESPN.

Hicks remained closely associated with NBC Sports throughout his professional life.

Although their careers involved frequent travel, they maintained a close family relationship.

Following Hicks’ passing, Storm described him as a loving father and devoted husband.

Dan Hicks’ Parents and Their Connection to Tucson

Tucson remained an important place in Dan Hicks’ life long after he became a national broadcaster.

His parents continued living there during the years when he worked for CNN and NBC.

In a 2004 interview, Hicks explained that he enjoyed returning to Arizona whenever his schedule allowed.

He also discussed visiting the University of Arizona with his wife and children.

The experience gave him an opportunity to introduce his daughters to the city where he had grown up.

His parents followed his television career closely, particularly his coverage of golf and Olympic competitions.

Their support reflected the family’s longstanding interest in his professional achievements.

Although Dan eventually lived in Connecticut, his Arizona upbringing remained a significant part of his identity.

Dan Hicks’ Passing and Family Tributes

Dan Hicks passed away on November 11, 2026, at age 64 following an acute illness.

His wife, Hannah Storm, confirmed the news publicly the following day.

She described his passing as sudden and unexpected.

Storm also remembered his kindness, humor and ability to make people feel valued.

His colleagues at NBC Sports praised his professionalism and the warmth he brought to the broadcasting industry.

Tributes also came from professional golf organizations, athletes and viewers who had followed his career for decades.

His passing prompted renewed interest in his childhood, family background and the people who supported his early ambitions.

Although public reporting has not established whether Jim and Diane Hicks were still living at the time of his passing, their earlier interviews remain valuable records of his upbringing.

Dan Hicks’ Parents and Family Legacy

Dan Hicks’ parents, Jim and Diane Hicks, played an important role in his early life in Tucson, Arizona.

His father remembered his determination to pursue sports broadcasting, while his mother recalled the young boy who practiced announcing games in his bedroom.

Their son eventually achieved his childhood ambition by joining NBC Sports and becoming one of America’s most recognizable sports commentators.

He also built a family with Hannah Storm, raising three daughters while maintaining a successful broadcasting career.

For readers searching for Dan Hicks’ parents, Jim and Diane Hicks are the couple who raised him alongside his two older sisters in Tucson.

Their memories reveal how his enthusiasm for sports and broadcasting developed long before millions of viewers became familiar with his voice.