University News

The story behind the loudest man in John Paul Jones Arena

Editor’s Note: Jamar Hicks missed Saturday's game vs. North Carolina because of a medical issue. He expects to be back on the microphone for UVA's next home game against Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Around every six months, Jamar Hicks, the effusive in-game host for University of Virginia athletic events, types the same two words into an Amazon search bar.

Orange pants.

“When the orange starts to fade, and it looks like Tennessee orange,” Hicks said, “that’s when I have to go order a new pair.”

If you’ve been to a home Cavalier football, men’s basketball or baseball game in the last six years, you’ve likely seen Hicks. And if you haven’t seen Hicks, you’ve most definitely heard him.

Hicks shows off his closet of UVA gear, including the orange pants that have become synonymous with his presence at Cavalier games. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)

His voice is loud.

His pants might be louder.

“As the emcee,” Hicks said, “you’re not really supposed to blend in. But that’s also part of my natural personality … to stand out.”

Hicks has captured the focus of large Wahoo gatherings since the Virginia Athletics’ marketing department hired him before the 2019 football season. He views his role, whether stationed at Scott Stadium, John Paul Jones Arena or Disharoon Park, as a hype man for the team and a source of entertainment for the crowd.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a football game, basketball game, baseball game – when he’s talking, as much as what’s going on (in the arena), people are listening,” UVA fan Ryan Schuett said. “And the way he interacts with the fans, it’s just so personable.”

Schuett lives with a tangible example of Hicks’ impact on Cavalier supporters. Her 5-year-old son, Declan, was once an on-court guest of Hicks. He and his sister, Olivia, were introduced on JPJ’s Hoo Vision videoboard before helping Hicks throw T-shirts to the crowd.

The interaction jumpstarted a bond. Hicks is Declan’s 45-year-old buddy now. Declan even wore orange pants to match Hicks for his school photos.

Portrait of Declan Baird wearing orange pants to look like Jamar Hicks in his school photo, left, Jamar Hicks in his signature orange pants pumping up the crowd at JPJA, right

Declan Baird rocks orange pants for his school photo as a tribute to Hicks, Baird's buddy who’s typically dressed in his signature loud slacks at UVA athletic events. (Left: contributed photo; right: Virginia Athletics photo)

“And he was just full of himself that day because he felt like he was Jamar,” Schuett said.

While Hicks, a Richmond native and Liberty University alumnus, didn’t grow up a Wahoo fan, he’s adapted quickly to the position. In addition to refreshing his signature slacks on a biannual basis to avoid confusion with another orange-based institution, he displays an open passion for the teams he serves.

Hicks, too, rushed the field after the football team’s upset of Florida State University on Sept. 26.

“He’s relatable in that sense,” said Luke Lamberson, a 2024 alumnus who, like Declan, is also a proud owner of orange pants because of Hicks. “There are all these students who go to all these games and get in line two hours early. … It’s nice to see someone like Jamar share in that excitement. He’s as excited as we are. And he comes over to the student section and daps people up, gives them high-fives.

“That passion is contagious.”

Discovery and Innovation: Daily research. Life-changing results.

Hicks is the son of extroverts, including his father, a former U.S. Army sergeant. Once destined to be a television reporter – he has a broadcasting degree from Liberty – Hicks has forged a well-traveled career in the hospitality industry. He works now as an auditor for Hilton Grand Vacations, and lives in Richmond.

“I audit resorts to make sure they meet brand standards,” Hicks said with a laugh. “It probably doesn’t fit what people would think I do (for a day job).”

It’s the side gig where Hicks comes alive. His resume as a public address announcer or in-game host stretches back a few decades and includes work at Liberty, the University of Maryland, the University of Denver and the University of Washington.

In the early 2000s, and while living in Northern Virginia, Hicks drove down to announce the occasional UVA volleyball game at Memorial Gymnasium.

Jamar Hicks on the microphone in front of the UVA marching band at Scott Stadium

Hicks addresses a crowd outside Scott Stadium before a football game. Since 2019, Hicks has become a staple at various UVA athletic events. (Contributed photo)

He’s maintained a commitment to be involved in college sports no matter where his full-time job has taken him.

“I love working in hotels. I’ve been connected to great people,” Hicks said. “But my heart is also in what I enjoy on the side.”

Hicks goes to great lengths to maximize his role with UVA. Upon the recent “Kids Takeover Day” promotion at JPJ, where young fans were given the opportunity to help Jamar with emceeing throughout UVA’s game against Stanford University, Hicks made sure his two partners on the microphone – 13-year-old Braylon and 11-year-old Grant – were in matching bowties and suspenders.

He ordered their outfits in advance.

Jamar Hicks in matching bow tie and suspenders with two youth co-hosts

Hicks hams it up with his co-hosts, Grant and Braylon, during “Kids Takeover Day” at JPJ on Jan. 10 for UVA’s game against Stanford. (Contributed photo)

“Grant had the best time,” said Erin Hansard, Grant’s mother. “Sports announcing is his dream job, so he absolutely loved it. His quote at the end was, ‘Jamar is the best teacher I’ve ever had.’

“And that’s funny because I taught my son in fourth grade. But Jamar’s amazing. He makes Grant feel like he’s the only kid in the room.”

Saturday’s room will be a sold-out JPJ as the 14th-ranked men’s basketball team hosts No. 22 University of North Carolina, tipping off at noon.

An electric atmosphere is expected. Hicks will be dressed – in his orange pants – and ready.

“I want people to feed off my energy,” he said.