James Hickey, known as Jerry, grew up in Phoenix, AZ, graduating from St. Mary's High School. He joined the United States Navy in 1944, and served two years. He enrolled at Phoenix Junior College, and excelled at basketball. He received a full scholarship to the University of San Francisco to play for the Dons. His team successfully rose to the number one ranking in the country and was invited to the prestigious National Invitational Basketball Tournament (NIT) held at Madison Square Garden in 1951, along with seven other teams. Jerry was named to the St. Louis Sporting News Honorable Mention All-American Team. Jerry worked as an industrial chemical salesman, and moved his family to Sacramento, CA. In 1965 Jerry established his own chemical company, ABCO Products.Â
