RMAC Hall of Fame

Harry "Chief' Simmons

A legendary coach in Southern Colorado, Harry Simmons is well known as "The Chief."  Simmons coached men's basketball for 35 years at  what is now CSU-Pueblo.  Between Pueblo Junior College, Southern Colorado State College and the University of Southern Colorado, Simmons tallied a 603-326 record (.649), 11 national tournament appearances, including the National Junior College Athletic Association National tournament title in 1961. His coaching career took a two-year hiatus when he was called to serve in World War II from 1943-1945.  In 1945, he was named the Athletic Director and basketball coach at Pueblo Junior College, guiding PJC to six league titles.  In 1965, Simmons was named the NAIA District VII Coach of the Year. Simmons has been inducted into seven different Hall of Fame organizations, including  the NAIA, the National Association of Athletics Directors, the National Junior College Athletic Association, and the CSU-Pueblo Athletic Hall of Fame. The RMAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year is called the Harry "Chief" Simmons Award.