Clemson Sports Hall of Fame
(More Photos Below)
Update 12 Nov 1997 from Ed Simons (1971):
The following extract comes from the official site of Clemson athletics. Neil will be honored at honored at halftime of the Clemson vs North Carolina game 11/15, along with 3 other Clemson alumni (many will recognize at least one other honoree).....
Clemson Inducts Four Former Greats into Hall of Fame:
Ben Anderson - Football, 1970-72
Jeff Bostic - Football, 1977-79
David Treadwell - Football, 1985-87
Neil Simons - Baseball, 1977-80
There are many facts about Neil Simons's career that qualify him for the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame, but one stands out. Simons remains the only four-time first-team All-ACC baseball player in Clemson history, and is one of just three players to do it in the history of the league. Chris Cammack of NC State reached the accomplishment between 1968-71, and Brick Smith of Wake Forest did it between 1978-81.
Like the other recipients in this Hall of Fame class, Simons was not highly recruited out of high school. But, he hit .376 in 1977 as a freshman, leading the team and nearly leading the entire ACC. He was a key reason Clemson advanced to the College World Series that season. He batted .556 in the 1977 Atlantic Regional and was then 5-15 in the College World Series He also led the ACC in triples that season and had a near flawless season as Clemson's starting centerfielder. Simons hit .335 for his career, including .355 as a junior and .3217 as a senior. He tied a school and ACC record when he banged out six hits in a 22-7 victory over Georgia in the fourth game of his senior year. His greatest individual single game acclaim came during Clemson's incredible 41-9 victory at NC State in 1980. Simons had four hits, including three home runs and drove in a still ACC record 10 runs. For his accomplishment he was featured in "Faces in the Crowd" in Sports Illustrated later the Spring. He was also an outstanding fielder. During the ACC Tournament of 1980 he robbed a North Carolina player of a home run that would have won the game for the Tar Heels. Instead it won the ACC championship for the Tigers.
Even though the Tigers played fewer games in the 1970s than they do today, his legendary numbers still rank among the best in Clemson history. He still ranks seventh in at bats (805), fifth in runs scored (195), sixth in hits (270), seventh in triples (14), second in walks (180), 11th in RBIs (164) and sixth in total bases (408). He struck out once every 18.7 at bats, still the second toughest player to strike out in Clemson history.
"Neil Simons was the epitome of the team player," said former Clemson coach Bill Wilhelm. This team attitude contributed to a successful four-year era for the Tigers. During Simons career Clemson advanced to the College World Series twice and to the NCAA Regional four times. Clemson was ranked in the top 10 in the final poll three of the four years and won three ACC Championships.
Simons was a 14th-round draft pick of the Houston Astros after the 1980 season. He played in the minors for four years, hitting a high of .325 one season. But, after four years, Simons decided to retire and is now a successful financial analyst near his hometown of Silver Spring, MD.
'97 Athletic Hall Of Fame Inductees Selected
Clemson University
From The Orange & White - May 20 1997, Page 24
The Tiger Lettermen Board of Directors have selected the following athletes to be inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame.... Neil Simons [Class of 1976] - baseball (1977-80). These outstanding athletes will be inducted during ceremonies Friday, November 13 and introduced at the annual Hall of Fame game on Saturday, November 14th against North Carolina. [Also inducted with Neil, Jeff Bostic - football (1977-79)]
Orange and White courtesy of Art Posey (1976)
Coach Williams with Neil in 1976
3 color photos courtesy Glenn Simons (1967)
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