Hickman Field's inception goes back to 1969. Clairemont Mesa Little League had lost its fields due to the construction of I-805. The United States Navy generously licensed Little League to use approximately 10 acres of unimproved land on what was then the Southern boundary of Miramar Naval Air Station. Through the early years, the Navy licensed more youth sports leagues. In 1976, the organizations, using the Navy land, formed what is today the Hickman Youth Athletic Association and granted a license for an additional 31 acres. The development started with raw, unimproved land. There are now six baseball fields, four softball fields and seven soccer fields.
 

The name Hickman honors Navy Lt. Albert Joe Hickman who, on December 4, 1959, at the age of 21, sacrificed his life to pilot his disabled Navy jet away from children at playgrounds of a nearby elementary school. Today, at the main entrance to the complex, beneath the Little League flag pole, lies a monument and plaque commemorating Hickman's heroism.











 

Hickman Elementary School

Article from THE SENTINEL "Hickman: the piolet who saved a school"

Article from THE SENTINEL "Hickman openes its doors to 300"

Article from THE SENTINEL "School Honors Hero"

Article "School takes name of hero for its own"

Article "Piolet Hero's Name To Live on School"