WC ’26: UTA alumna honored with World Cup statue
As an athletic trainer for women’s professional soccer club Dallas Trinity FC, Branay Hicks plays a pivotal role in helping players reach peak performance on the pitch. Much of her work, however, happens behind the scenes.
That work is receiving new attention with the FIFA World Cup coming to North Texas. Hicks (’18 MS, Athletic Training) is one of 26 women who inspired a series of life-sized 3D-printed statues on display through July 19 at the FIFA Fan Festival Dallas at Fair Park.
The lime-green statues are part of the #IfThenSheCan—The Exhibit: Game Changers, an initiative launched by Lyda Hill Philanthropies to highlight that the future of sports is powered not only by the athletes on the field, but also by leaders in science, technology, engineering and math who are transforming the game behind the scenes.
It’s quite an honor for Hicks, who said learning about her statue was a “complete surprise.”
“I got an email and thought it was spam,” Hicks said, laughing. “But there were too many people included for it to be spam. It’s been a really fun process.”
Hicks discussed the honor, her time at UTA, and how she continues to give back to UTA’s athletic training program.
What does the World Cup statue mean for you and the athletic training profession?
Hicks: I think this is huge for the athletic training profession. We’re not always seen as healthcare professionals or people working in STEM. So it’s nice to get that recognition on such a big platform. It shows that we play a vital role in the health and safety of the team. We know the importance of what we do on the sidelines, but now more people will get the opportunity to learn about it and see what we do.
What message would you share with young women interested in STEM, especially in fields like athletic training?
Hicks: I think a lot of people, when they hear “athletic trainers,” assume we’re just handing out water or taping ankles. They don’t realize everything that goes into keeping athletes healthy. There’s a balance of science, math, statistics and even engineering—like in biomechanics labs—and a lot of behind-the-scenes work that people don’t see during games. What we do off the field is much bigger than what’s visible. That’s true for all STEM careers because there are so many different avenues. For example, I met a woman working in data analytics with the Dallas Cowboys, and I didn’t even know that was a path before. There are so many opportunities—the sky’s the limit when it comes to careers in STEM.
Why did you choose UTA for your master’s degree, and how did it prepare you for your career?
Hicks: I grew up in Frisco and went to college at UT Tyler. That was a culture shock, but a great experience. After that, I knew I wanted to return to a bigger city with more opportunities. When I did my research, UTA stood out as having the best opportunities for clinical rotations. That decision really shaped my career. A lot of the opportunities I had at UTA directly led to the career path I’m on now.
You continue to stay involved with UTA as a preceptor. What does that role mean to you?
Hicks: I’ve wanted to go into teaching for a while, even before I started at UTA. I had great experiences with my own clinical preceptors, which inspired me to focus on the hands-on, on-field side of teaching. Students get classroom instruction from professors, but with me they gain real-life experience. That’s really important. My own preceptors helped shape who I am today, and now I get to do the same for students. It’s especially meaningful since I went through the same program, so we can talk about its growth and future.
Fans interested in seeing Hicks’ statue, along with the others, can visit the exhibit inside the Southwest Entry Gate at Dallas’ Fair Park free of charge now through July 19. More details are available at www.DallasFWC26.com/FIFAFanFestival-Dallas.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.