Gil Simms' association with Hampden-Sydney College began over 60 years ago as a student. He attended H-SC from 1926 through 1928, playing basketball and participating in track.
While playing basketball at H-SC, Simms played for Charles "Yank" Bernier. In track, he competed in the high jump and pole-vault. His vault of 12 feet was a Virginia Conference record.
After attending the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) for a year, accepting a one-year basketball scholarship to West Virginia Tech, and earning a dental degree from the University of Louisville, Gil returned to his hometown of Charleston, WV, to practice dentistry. There, Gil found time to single-handedly recruit countless young men as students for the College, often bringing them and their parents at his own expense to visit the campus.
Gil returned to the College in 1973 as head athletic trainer. His outstanding contributions showed that behind every great athletic program is a great trainer: from football practice in late August through the last baseball game of the spring, his loyalty, friendship and dedication were evident. Even today, Simms finds time to help the College in various ways.
Gil has received many honors, including ODK honorary membership (1962), Presidency of the Alumni Association (1963-64), 12th man football award (1967), Algernon Sydney Sullivan Medallion (1967) and the Alumni Citation (1981).
