Inductees

A native of Lancaster, Mo., John “Hi” Simmons had a long and decorated career at the University of Missouri as head baseball coach and a trusty football assistant to Don Faurot.

In baseball, he coached from 1937 to 1973, posting a record of 481-294-3. His teams won 11 conference championships (1937-1938, 1941-1942, 1952, 1954, 1958, and 1962-1965) and the first NCAA title in school history in 1954.

In all, he led Mizzou to six appearances in the NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1953-1954, 1958, and 1962-1965. He coached 19 All-Americans at MU, including nine first-team choices, 25 all-district, and 37 all-conference players.

A former president of the American Baseball Coaches Association, Simmons was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1977 and is also a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.