FRISCO, Texas – Former Lamar University President Dr. Jimmy Simmons has been named as one of three individuals who will be inducted into the Southland Hall of Honor later this month at the annual Southland Honors Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Westin Stonebriar Hotel in Frisco. Simmons is part of a three-person class that includes former league volleyball coordinator of officials, the late Linda Fletcher and Northwestern State softball All-American Rhonda Rube-Baird.
 
The 2018 class will bring the total number of individuals named to the Southland Hall of Honor to 50, dating back to the first induction in 1999.
 
"The Southland Conference membership is honored to induct these three exceptionally worthy individuals, each with remarkable records of sustained success," said SLC Commissioner Tom Burnett. "Dr. Jimmy Simmons provided more than 40 years of service to Lamar University and is regarded as one of the most impactful presidents in school history. He served LU athletics tremendously throughout his tenure, and was a strong presidential voice in Southland matters."
 
Simmons joins a long list of Cardinals to be honored by the Southland. The list of Cardinals in the Southland Hall of Honor includes Katrinka Jo Crawford (volleyball coach), Jim Gilligan (baseball coach), Jim "J.B." Higgins (football coach/athletics director), Sonny Jolly (track and field coach), Belle Mead Holm (women's athletics director), F.L. McDonald (president), Chris Stroud (men's golf), Billy Tubbs (men's basketball coach and athletics director) and Paul Zeek (administrator).
 
A native of Beaumont, Simmons dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to the university, being named the school's 10^th president on Sept. 1, 1999, and served in that role until 2014. After earning degrees from Memphis State, Houston and McNeese State, Simmons returned to Beaumont in 1970, where he joined the LU faculty as an instructor and director of bands. Rising through the ranks, he was later named chair of the Department of Music and Theater and dean of the College of Fine Arts. Throughout his educational career, Simmons has attracted acclaim as a performer on clarinet, saxophone and piano.
 
Simmons' tenure was highlighted by numerous capital campaigns that raised more than $130 million by the time he retired. LU athletics flourished under Simmons' direction as well. He oversaw the return of Cardinal football after a 25-year absence. LU also brought back softball and added women's soccer during his time at the helm.
 
Simmons is known as an administrator with a strong sense of direction and the keen ability to attract and cultivate talented faculty – who, he stresses, are professionals who teach rather than professional teachers. His innovative approaches to the pursuit of academic excellence and his winning rapport with students, faculty and staff are other defining qualities.
 
-LU CARDINALS-