Hall of Fame
Jeff Fickes holds the school record for career interceptions and is one the greatest defensive backs in Shippensburg history. Fickes capped off a storied four-year career with a record-breaking senior season in 1991, leading all of Division II with a school-record 12 interceptions in 11 games.
Fickes broke in with the Red Raiders as a cornerback and recorded four interceptions for 83 yards en route to the team’s PSAC Western Division title. He returned one of those interceptions 70 yards for a touchdown in a 49-10 victory at Slippery Rock.
In his sophomore season, Fickes was selected to the All-PSAC Second Team in 1989. He recorded 48 tackles, including three for loss, while breaking up one pass and making two interceptions.
He switched to free safety as a junior in 1990 and earned his second consecutive All-PSAC Second Team selection. Fickes posted a career-high 73 tackles, led the team with 11 pass break ups in addition to recording three interceptions and recovering two fumbles.
It was during Shippensburg’s 100th year of professional football that Fickes would post one of the most dominant individual defensive seasons in school and conference history. Fickes finished with 100 tackles in addition to his 12 interceptions and broke up 13 passes during the season.
On the final play of the regular season, Fickes blocked a potential game-winning field goal to secure a 31-30 victory for the Red Raiders at New Haven that clinched a berth in the NCAA Division II tournament. Shippensburg finished the season with a 10-3 record after advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
For his accolades during his senior season, Fickes was chosen First Team All-America by the Associated Press and was selected to the First Team All-PSAC and All-ECAC squads. He held the school record in career interceptions (21) for 13 years until Brent Grimes surpassed it in 2004. Fickes also finished his career with the school record for interception return yardage (278), a feat that was also surpassed by Grimes in 2005.
