Vickers, a native of Cooperton, Okla., enrolled at Southwestern in 1930 on a football scholarship and earned 11 athletic letters. Although he had not played football in high school, Vickers performed well enough in the sport to be named to the Oklahoma Collegiate Conference team and the All-Oklahoma team in 1931. He helped the 1933 Bulldogs through an undefeated season. In basketball, Vickers captained the 1932-33 team and was chosen as a member of the All-Collegiate Conference squad. He graduated in 1934 and served as a teacher and administrator for 35 years at places such as New Liberty, Wetumka, Clinton, Cordell, Lake Valley, Watonga, Fay, Snyder and Midwest City. Vickers was also considered one of the top basketball referees in the state, regularly working at the girls’ basketball state tournament held in Oklahoma City each year.