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