Hickey was one of the most devastating pass rushers to play at Fordham, earning All-East honors in 1950-1951.
 
After a successful stint on the 1948 freshman squad, Hickey burst on the varsity scene in 1949, registering 14 unassisted sacks in back-to-back games with nationally ranked Syracuse and Georgetown. In 1950, he earned the first of his All-East honors, leading the time to an 8-1 record as a vital cog to the Fordham defense and also appearing on the field for offensive special plays. As a senior in 1951, Hickey again was named All-East and fielded professional offers from the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, Chicago Cardinals, and the New York Yankees but decided instead on medical school.