It’s been quite the summer for Allie Schulte-Hicks. Not only was she married to former Lubbock Christian men’s basketball star and Lone Star Conference Player of the Year, Parker Hicks, a month ago, but the Lady Chaps standout was also honored for her distinguished career on the hardwood for the highly decorated LCU women’s basketball team.
For her crowning achievements, Schulte-Hicks was named the winner of the 15th Dick Bynum Award presented by the Amarillo Downtown Lions Club on Tuesday. The award goes annually to the most outstanding Amarillo-area female college athlete.
“I was truly shocked,” Schulte-Hicks said. “I’m very honored to represent Nazareth and LCU one more time. I thought I was through with this part of my career, so this is special to earn one more award.”
The Nazareth graduate and LCU point guard played in 155 career games. That is the most games played in LCU women’s basketball history and ranks fourth in all of Division II among active players.
The highly decorated Schulte leaves as a two-time national champion, an All-American and was the Most Outstanding Player of last season’s Elite Eight Tournament. Schulte was a part of an LCU team that never lost a home game going an incredible 70-0 at the Rip Griffin Center. Schulte is the first Lady Chap to reach the 1,500-point mark since 2018, and her 320 career steals rank second in school history.
“Basketball has given so much to me over the years,” Schulte-Hicks said. “It’s not just the recognition or the awards, but all the people I’ve gotten to meet over the years and the friends I’ve made. I didn’t even know if I wanted to play in college but I’m so glad I did.”
Nazareth head girls basketball coach Eric Schulte was on-hand Tuesday to represent Schulte-Hicks. Schilling and Schulte-Hicks won three UIL Class 1A state championships together in 2014, 2015, and 2017. Schulte said he couldn’t be more excited to see his former player honored one more time.
“Allie is one of those players that possesses the trait to be a great teammate and a great person,” Schilling said. “Even after Allie’s playing days are over, she’s the kind of athlete that people will look up to. She’s very special.”
Schulte-Hicks is the is the second Lady Chap to receive the honor, joining Nicole Hampton (women’s basketball 2016).
For winning this honor, Nazareth ISD will receive a check for $1,000 that will go toward the women’s athletic department.
The other finalists for 2022 Dick Bynum award were Hereford graduate and West Texas A&M volleyball player Chandler Vogel, and Caprock graduate and West Texas A&M soccer player Jessica Diaz.
Dick Bynum Memorial Award Winners
2007: Leah Rush, basketball, Amarillo High and Oklahoma.
2008: Emily Brister, basketball, Amarillo High and West Texas A&M.
2009: Nina Munch-Soegaard, tennis, home schooled, Texas Christian University.
2010: Katie Rickwartz, volleyball, Canyon and West Texas A&M.
2011: Brianne Barker, volleyball, Amarillo High and Oklahoma.
2012: Andrea Carpenter, soccer, Randall and Abilene Christian.
2013: Katie Grimes, track, Canyon and Texas Tech.
2014: Casey Land, basketball, Canyon and West Texas A&M.
2015: Alex Simms, volleyball, San Jacinto Christian and Texas State.
2016: Nicole Hampton, basketball, Canyon and Lubbock Christian University.
2017: Sasha Watson, basketball, Palo Duro and West Texas A&M.
2018: Kilee Halbert, softball, Dalhart and West Texas A&M.
2019: Jordan Duke, soccer, Amarillo High and Texas Tech.
2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19
2021: Lexy Hightower, Amarillo High and West Texas A&M
2022: Allie Schulte-Hicks, Nazareth and Lubbock Christian University