Published: September 03, 2008 01:07 am            

MORRIS: Former NAHS runner to honor Sims

Dave Adams enjoyed going to track practice each day. He also loved his U.S. History class.

It may have had something to do with Damon Sims.

Sims was the track coach at New Albany High School from 1960 to 1975 and also taught U.S. History. But to Adams and hundreds of others, he was much more than a coach and teacher. He was a mentor, someone who was demanding, but at the same time, complimentary. Someone to look up to.

“He always encouraged, never yelled,” Adams said. “He just wanted you to do your best. He was also the best teacher I ever had. He was probably the reason I got into education. Kids really worked hard for him.”

Adams, who ran track for Sims from 1962-64, and other track performers from Sims’ era, are planning a get-together with their old coach on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Covered Bridge Golf Course in Sellersburg. The event is from 6 to 10 p.m.

Adams said the informal event will include food, stories and more stories. He said his old coach is looking forward to the event.

“He is real excited about it,” Adams said.

Two of Sims’ former assistants will also be present — Don Loughmiller and Terry Fleshman. Adams said the celebration is long overdue.

Sims was part of a coaching fraternity at the school that took on legendary status. During his era, Forrest McCaffrey coached football, Stan Sajko was the baseball coach and Phil Thrasher was the wrestling coach.

“There were so many great coaches there during that era. A lot of those guys were more than just coaches,” Adams said. “They would coach two or three sports and they coached for a long time. We were really lucky.

“He (Sims) really worked at it and studied what other runners in the state were doing.”

Adams, a retired principal at Scribner Middle School, said he is hoping to have around 100 former runners attend the event. He said Kenny Head, maybe the school’s most famous runner, is expected to make the trip from New Mexico to attend the celebration. He also said another former teammate is coming from North Carolina.

“I have gotten quite a few calls from out of town, but haven’t got as many from people who live here. But people always wait until the last minute,” Adams said.

But no matter the number, Adams is expecting to have a great event.

“It should be a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s a chance to get together and tell some old stories.”

The cost of the meal is $10.95. For more information, contact Adams at 812-951-2783 or Bill Robinson at 812-945-1201.

        

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