CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame
Years at CSU Pueblo: 1945-80
Category: Coach, Contributor
Sports: Basketball, Football, Baseball
Eras: Pueblo Junior College (1937-63), Southern Colorado State College (1963-75), University of Southern Colorado (1975-2003)
Harry "Chief" Simmons - A legendary coach in Southern Colorado, Simmons was well-known as "The Chief". A Marine veteran, Simmons coached men's basketball for 35 years (1945-1980) at what is now Colorado State University at Pueblo. Between Pueblo Junior College, Southern Colorado State College and the University of Southern Colorado, Simmons compiled a 603-326 (64.9%), 11 national tournament appearances, including the National Junior College Athletic Association title in 1961. Simmons is a member of several Hall of Fame organizations, including the NAIA, the National Association of Athletics Directors, the National Junior College Athletic Association, the Colorado Sports and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The RMAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year Award is called the Harry "Chief" Simmons Award. His overall coaching record for 40 seasons was 701-348 (66.8%), including 67-7 at Vineland High School (1939-40), 15 -8 at Fountain High School (1941) and 16-7 at Trinidad State Junior College (1942). His coaching career took a two-year hiatus when he served in World War II from 1943-1945.
