University of North Carolina Athletics
Bright And Hickerson Named Tar Heel Trailblazers
February 1, 2024 | Baseball, General, Softball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina Athletics will honor a pair of pioneering former student-athletes with the 2024 Tar Heel Trailblazers award. This year's honorees are Sonya Bright and Mickey Hickerson.
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The award recognizes individuals who paved the way for success in all aspects of the student-athlete experience, shining a spotlight on pioneers who have made memorable and lasting contributions at UNC and beyond. The recognition coincides with the celebration of Black History Month during the month of February.
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The Trailblazers will be honored at halftime of the men's basketball game on Feb. 17 vs. Virginia Tech and at a reception afterward.Â
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In 1990, Bright became the first African American softball player at UNC. She was a three-time all-region player and two-time All-ACC performer. She graduated as the program's all-time leader in hits (230), runs (158), and stolen bases (73), and still ranks among the school's all-time top 10 in each category.
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"I'm so appreciative to be honored with this award," Bright said. "Carolina has done so much more for me than I could've done for the school. This is very humbling and I'm very thankful to have been chosen."
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After graduation, Bright played professionally for a brief period before pursuing a career as a dental hygienist.
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Joseph "Mickey" Hickerson was the first African American baseball player at UNC, joining the junior varsity in the fall of 1969 before being brought up to the varsity in the spring of 1970. Known as "Joe Jet," he spent three seasons with the Tar Heels as a second baseman. He was a unanimous choice to the 1971 North Carolina Collegiate Baseball League all-star team.
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"I am so delighted and honored to receive this award," Hickerson said. "I felt like I was a pioneer and glad that I was able to open the door for other young men of color to play at UNC."
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Hickerson was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the second round of the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft. He played one season of professional baseball for the Appleton Foxes of the Midwest League before returning home to complete his bachelor's degree at Western Carolina University and pursue a career in business. He has been retired for the past 15 years.
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Bright and Hickerson are the 15th and 16th former UNC student-athletes to be recognized as a Tar Heel Trailblazers.
Tar Heel Trailblazers
2014: Courtney Bumpers, Robyn Hadley, Ricky Lanier and Charles Scott
2015: Karen Stevenson, Charles Waddell and Stuart Scott
2016: Sharon Couch and Phil Ford
2018: Peter Henry and Rochelle Small-Toney
2020: Willie Cooper
2022: Synthia Scott Kearney, Reggie McAfee
2024: Sonya Bright, Mickey Hickerson
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The award recognizes individuals who paved the way for success in all aspects of the student-athlete experience, shining a spotlight on pioneers who have made memorable and lasting contributions at UNC and beyond. The recognition coincides with the celebration of Black History Month during the month of February.
Â
The Trailblazers will be honored at halftime of the men's basketball game on Feb. 17 vs. Virginia Tech and at a reception afterward.Â
Â
In 1990, Bright became the first African American softball player at UNC. She was a three-time all-region player and two-time All-ACC performer. She graduated as the program's all-time leader in hits (230), runs (158), and stolen bases (73), and still ranks among the school's all-time top 10 in each category.
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"I'm so appreciative to be honored with this award," Bright said. "Carolina has done so much more for me than I could've done for the school. This is very humbling and I'm very thankful to have been chosen."
Â
After graduation, Bright played professionally for a brief period before pursuing a career as a dental hygienist.
Â
Joseph "Mickey" Hickerson was the first African American baseball player at UNC, joining the junior varsity in the fall of 1969 before being brought up to the varsity in the spring of 1970. Known as "Joe Jet," he spent three seasons with the Tar Heels as a second baseman. He was a unanimous choice to the 1971 North Carolina Collegiate Baseball League all-star team.
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"I am so delighted and honored to receive this award," Hickerson said. "I felt like I was a pioneer and glad that I was able to open the door for other young men of color to play at UNC."
Â
Hickerson was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the second round of the 1973 Major League Baseball Draft. He played one season of professional baseball for the Appleton Foxes of the Midwest League before returning home to complete his bachelor's degree at Western Carolina University and pursue a career in business. He has been retired for the past 15 years.
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Bright and Hickerson are the 15th and 16th former UNC student-athletes to be recognized as a Tar Heel Trailblazers.
Tar Heel Trailblazers
2014: Courtney Bumpers, Robyn Hadley, Ricky Lanier and Charles Scott
2015: Karen Stevenson, Charles Waddell and Stuart Scott
2016: Sharon Couch and Phil Ford
2018: Peter Henry and Rochelle Small-Toney
2020: Willie Cooper
2022: Synthia Scott Kearney, Reggie McAfee
2024: Sonya Bright, Mickey Hickerson
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