UNSCRIPTED: Basketball “LEGEND” Ray Sims’ Passing Leaves a Lasting “LEGACY”

Unscripted By Keith Edmonds
FWIS Contributing Writer

COACH RAY SIMS. When I think about, or hear his name spoken it brings back many memories of the numerous battles that he and I had when he coached at Snider High School while I was roaming the sidelines at Elmhurst High School. Man! What games we had! His teams were always well-coached, disciplined, and played with a style that he’d always say was, “the right way.” Coach Sims was truly iconic as he was one of my early inspirations to become a head coach because I always saw him coaching at the level that I wanted to attain... the TOP! Being a head basketball coach in the state of Indiana is a HUGE DEAL and to be a Black coach in this state is even more complimentary simply because there are not very many of us doing this at such a high level. Coach Sims was a fierce competitor, and I always knew that I had to have my teams ready to go when we played Snider, or it was going to be a long night (unfortunately we didn’t win much when we played them!) Coach was an iconic figure in our state, as he was on the staff of legendary Marion High School coach Bill Green’s staff when they won 3 Indiana State basketball championships (1985, 1986, 1987) with Lyndon Jones and Jay Edwards. With that particular run of championships being known as “Purple Reign.” Man! That team was TOUGH to beat!

Coach Sims made history when he became the first Black teacher at Wabash High School during the 1989-90 school year and coached the Wabash High School boys' varsity basketball teams from 1990-96 When he took over the reigns at Snider High School in 1997, he made them one of our cities’ best teams and during the 2008-09 season lead them to a school-best record of 25-2 reaching the 4A state title game during that particular season as well. Ray Sims coached basketball for over 30 years with more than a decade of his tenure being at Snider High School and was unquestionably one of the state of Indiana’s finest builder of young men. Coach Sims understood the responsibility of being a mentor, father-figure, and passionate role-model for those he coached, and we certainly lost one of the absolute best with his recent passing.

I’ll always admire his coaching of his 2 sons Ryan and J.R. and how he molded them into outstanding young men and gifted players. With his booming baritone voice, and high energy demeanor, Ray Sims was truly one of a kind! This city was fortunate that he came here to revive the Snider High School program, (finishing with an impressive overall record of 156-92) and the lasting imprint he left on that school, the Summit Athletic Conference, and our community as well. Coach, touched the lives of so many players, schools, and I for one, appreciate all that he did for me to help me become a better coach! We were rivals, but always found time to share a laugh during the heat of our many battles. We made each other better MEN as we guided our respective programs to state-wide recognition with words of encouragement and candor. I always respected Coach Sims and how he went about doing things “his way” and cheered him on when his team went on that tremendous state finals run just as he did for my team when we went to state in 2003. Love you coach, you’re truly going to be missed, but NEVER forgotten. Job well done!