Charles "George" Simms, Jr.


Year Inducted: 1982
Nominated By: Brian Macartney
Sports Competed In: Baseball, Basketball, Softball
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach

Ralph Lindsey

High School:
Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S., graduating in 1946.

Achievements:
High School:
Played three years of baseball at second base and was a member of the Bulldogs basketball team (1944-46).

College:
● Attended Pueblo Junior College and played second base on the baseball team from 1947-48.
● Transferred to the University of Wyoming...Started on the Cowboys baseball squad at second base before graduating in 1950.
● Continued post-graduate studies at Adams State College, graduating in 1975.

Related Activities:
Upon graduation from the University of Wyoming, signed contract with the St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Team, but was interrupted by the Korean War, so he joined the U.S. Air Force.

Coaching Career:
Spent his entire coaching career at Pueblo Centennial H.S.
● Football: Assistant Coach for eight seasons (1959-67).
● Basketball: Assistant Coach for eight years (1959-67).
● Basketball: Head Coach (one year).
● Baseball: Head Coach for 13 seasons (1959-71 and 1983).

Contributions:
Worked football, basketball and baseball games.

Quotes:
"George Simms is no stranger to anyone who has had any contact with Pueblo Athletics during the past 35 years. George first became involved in the American Legion Baseball Program with coach Mike Mills Vunovich prior to his high school experience. He was a student at Centennial High School when the baseball program was reactivated in 1945 and became the varsity second baseman and captain of the team. Simms lettered two (2) years at that position and moved to Pueblo Junior College where he played baseball and basketball for Harry Simmons. He was selected as all conference in both sports -- both years! His ability and talent gained him an Athletic Baseball Scholarship to the University of Wyoming where he also lettered two years and was selected both years to the All Skyline Team. George played semi-pro and professional baseball in Utah and Georgia with the St. Louis Cardinal organization. George then entered the USAF where he was chosen to attend O.C.S. and was honorably discharged in 1953 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He went to Cardinal Spring Training Camp in Florida and played in both Oklahoma and South Dakota. George came home to Pueblo in 1954 and began a career with School district No. 60 as a P.E. teacher at Thatcher Elementary. He joined the teaching and coaching staff at Centennial High School in 1959 as a Social Studies teacher and assistant football, assistant basketball and head baseball coach. George was one of the outstanding coaches in the South-Central League for 12 years. His love the game, his knowledge of sports, his personal talent and his undying motivation to improve blended into a truly great professional. His teaching talent is best demonstrated by the fact that five of his former players, are, or have been head baseball coaches in the South Central League: Joe Massaro, Christy Bivens, Bruce Colvin, Luther Nava and John Langoni. This is a fitting tribute to this professional. George has been recognized as an outstanding official in football, basketball, and baseball. He is regarded as a "Hall of Famer" in the eyes and hearts of all who know him.
-- Brian Macartney

Occupation:
Hired by District #60 in 1954...Teacher and coach at Pueblo Centennial H.S.

Personal:
Lived in Pueblo with his wife, Kathryn “Anne”...Passed away on June 16, 2002 at age 73.


GPSA "S" By The Numbers

LEGEND: p = awarded posthumously; ^= attended first meeting; * = deceased;+ = charter member (placed after year inducted)

1
Athlete/Coach
LeRoy Snook (2022)

Athlete/Coach/Administrator
Kent Owen Smith (2001)

Athlete/Coach/Contributor
Michael C. Sexton (2019)

Attended Pueblo East H.S.
LeRoy Snook (2022)

Billiards
Debra "Debbie" Snook (2004)

Boxing
Marty Servo (2021*p)

Coach/Administrator
Melvin L. "Mel" Spence (1980*)

Golf
Isobel DeFiore Simpson (1987*)

Lifetime GPSA Member
Dr. Donald G. Stutters (1993*)

Professional Athlete (Football)
Kory Sperry (2023)

Tennis
Gerald "Jerry" Starika (1990)

Track
LeRoy Snook (2022)

Volleyball
Ruth E. Shelton (2012)

Won a National Championship
Harry "Chief" Simmons (1973*+)

2
Attended Pueblo Catholic H.S.

Dr. John Eugene Skube (2000*)
David Arthur "Sosh" Socier (1993*)

Attended Pueblo County H.S.
Kory Sperry (2023)
Gary Frank Salimeno (2006)

Attended Pueblo South H.S.
David "Dave" Shaddy (2019)
John A. Salas (2008)

Attended Pueblo St. Patrick's H.S.
Russell C. "Russ" Sabo (2004*)
Dr. John W. Sabo, Jr. (1992*p)

Basketball
Kory Sperry (2023)
Dan Sanchez (2023)
LeRoy Snook (2022)

Charter Member
Harry "Chief" Simmons (1973*+)
Edwin J. "Ed" Smith (1973*+)

Coach/Contributors
G. Owen Smith (2001*)
Dr. Donald G. Stutters (1993* LM)

Coach/Official
Fred F. Smith (1979*)
James Dale "Ox" Smith (1977*p)

Football
Kory Sperry (2023)
Dan Sanchez (2023)
LeRoy Snook (2022)

Official
LeRoy Snook (2022)
Roger G. Samuels (2001)
Thomas L. "Tom" Stanton (1980*)

 

 

3
Contributors/Sports Media

Mike Salardino (2022)
David Michael "Mike" Spence (2007)
Timothy "Tim" Simmons (1986)
David Arthur "Sosh" Socier (1993*)

4
Attended H.S. Outside Colorado
Dr. Donald G. Stutters (1993 LM*)
Watonga H.S., Watonga, OK
Dennis Lawrence Shefcyk (1992*)
St. Bonaventure H.S., Omaha, NE
Fred F. Smith (1979*)
Central H.S., St. Joseph's, MO
Edwin J. "Ed" Smith (1973*+)
Cawker City H.S., Cawker City, KS

Softball
Ruth E. Shelton (2012)
Loree "Pi" Sanford (1992*)
Charles "George" Simms, Jr. (1982*)
Otto "Tink" Snapp, Jr. (1976*p)

Wrestling
Jerry Lee Sisneros (2002)
David "Styee" Styduhar (1998)
Frank A. "Iron Man" Slack (1975*)
Edwin J. "Ed" Smith (1973*+)

 

5
Athlete/Contributor
Kory Sperry (2023)
David "Dave" Shaddy (2019)
John A. Salas (2008)
Dr. John W. Sabo, Jr. (1992*p)
Andy Richard Sackman (1985*)

Attended H.S. Inside Colorado
Dan Sanchez (2023)
Trinidad H.S., Trinidad, CO
Deward "Dewey" Sullivan (2003)
Boone H.S., Boone, CO
G. Owen Smith (2001*)
Ft. Collins, H.S., Ft. Collins, CO
Frank A. "Iron Man" Slack (1975*)
Leadville, H.S., Leadville, CO
Harry "Chief" Simmons (1973*+)
El Paso Cty H.S., Colo. Springs, CO
Ramah H.S., Ramah, CO

 

 

 

6
Coach
Dan Sanchez (2023)
Stan Sanchez (2013)
Deward "Dewey" Sullivan (2003)
Jerry Lee Sisneros (2002)
David "Styee" Styduhar (1998)
Harry "Chief" Simmons (1973*+)

Honorees Awarded Posthumously
Marty Servo (2021*p)
Edward C. "Eddie" Smith (2018*p)
John "Sal" Salimeno, Jr. (2005*p)
Dr. John W. Sabo, Jr. (1992*p)
James Dale "Ox" Smith (1977*p)
Otto "Tink" Snapp, Jr. (1976*p)

7
Baseball

Dan Sanchez (2023)
David "Dave" Shaddy (2019)
Edward C. "Eddie" Smith (2018*p)
Gary Frank Salimeno (2006)
Russell C. "Russ" Sabo (2004*)
Charles "George" Simms, Jr. (1982*)
Fred F. Smith (1979*)

 

9
Athlete

Marty Servo (2021*p)
Edward C. "Eddie" Smith (2018*p)
Ronald A. Smith (2013)
Rick Shelton (2013)
Terry S. Snider (2012)
John "Sal" Salimeno, Jr. (2005*p)
Russell C. "Russ" Sabo (2004*)
Loree "Pi" Sanford (1992*)
Gerald "Jerry" Starika (1990)

 

20
Honorees Deceased

Marty Servo (2021*p)
Edward C. "Eddie" Smith (2018*p)
Russell C. "Russ" Sabo (2004*)
G. Owen Smith (2001*)
Dr. John Eugene Skube (2000*)
David Arthur "Sosh" Socier (1993*)
Dr. John W. Sabo, Jr. (1992*p)
Loree "Pi" Sanford (1992*)
Dr. Donald G. Stutters (1993* LM)
Isobel DeFiore Simpson (1987*)
Andy Richard Sackman (1985*)
Charles "George" Simms, Jr. (1982*)
Melvin L. "Mel" Spence (1980*)
Thomas L. "Tom" Stanton (1980*)
Fred F. Smith (1979*)
James Dale "Ox" Smith (1977*p)
Otto "Tink" Snapp, Jr. (1976*p)
Frank A. "Iron Man" Slack (1975*)
Harry "Chief" Simmons (1973*+)
Edwin J. "Ed" Smith (1973*+)

 

47
Honorees in "S" Section

 

 

 

 

 

REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN GPSA INDUCTEES

The Greater Pueblo Sports Association (GPSA) has announced a list of honorees that have passed since the 2023 induction ceremony on Nov. 15.

 

 

Daniel RosalesDaniel
Rosales

12/13/2023
Class of 2002

Everett C. ThalhamerEverett C.
Thalhamer

12/23/2023
Class of 2014

Bob GrahamBobby Max
Graham

02/26/2024
Class of 1990

Joe BonaquistaJoe
Bonaquista

07/16/2024
Class of 1977