Any athlete knows sports-related injuries are hazards of the job. It’s probable that, at least at one time or another in his athletic career, every athlete experiences some sort of injury. It didn’t take Gary Simkus ’08 long into his Wabash career to hit an athletic roadblock.
“My freshman year I dislocated my elbow in a game against Hiram,” Simkus said. “I went up in the air and the kid took me out and I did a cartwheel. Before I came down I had dislocated my elbow and tore all of the ligaments in it. I had to get rushed to the hospital.”
“We’ve got a great training staff here,” he said, “with Mark Colston, and he got me back and ready to play. They cast my arm every soccer game, so I kind of looked like Megaman with the big forearms.”
As a two-sport athlete, the Highland, Indiana native wanted to be ready for the basketball season and depended on Colston and his staff for a speedy recovery.
“The rehab was supposed to take three to six months,” Simkus said. “Mark worked with me and got me back in a month and a half. It’s not like it felt good, but he got it done, and I was ready to play basketball my freshman year.”
This early athletic setback has not characterized Mr. Simkus’ athletic, academic and extra-curricular career at Wabash as he has become one of the most recognizable and respected students on campus.
When deciding on colleges, Mr. Simkus initially did not want anything to do with a school like Wabash.
“I actually didn’t want to go to a Division III school at all, and I didn’t want to go to an Indiana school,” Simkus said. “I was first looking to play Division I soccer. I had some opportunities – I was flown out to the University of Dayton, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and some other schools as well.
“I couldn’t tell the Wabash alumni in the area I didn’t want to go to their school,” he said, “without coming down for a visit. I came down to campus and talked to some of the guys here, looked at it academically, and looked at all of the alumni connections that you slowly develop here. Being able to play two sports here at Wabash and being able to study abroad really attracted me here.”
In his senior year, the two sports Mr. Simkus plays - soccer and basketball - seem to be on divergent paths.
The basketball team currently is thriving. At 12-5, the basketball team was riding a four game win streak going into the game last night against Whittenburg, ranked number one in the conference.
“They’re ranked number one in conference now,” he said, “and we’re tied with Ohio Wesleyan for second. Really who hosts the conference tournament is up for grabs right now.”
At 6’6”, Mr. Simkus is a dominant force on the court, averaging 12 points and five rebounds per game. He is also one of the team’s best three point shooters, with 16 three pointers and a .593 three point average.
Mr. Simkus, however, credits the team’s collaboration for the success they’ve been having of late.
“I think it’s the camaraderie and the chemistry of the guys and our team,” he said. “In year’s past, from when I’ve been here we’ve had great talent, and I think that this year and right now it’s just clicking. Hopefully we can keep that going with Coach Petty and bring in some new freshmen and guys in the sophomore class stepping up.”
“It’s nice because I think we have plenty of scoring options,” he added. “If someone’s not on or they’ve shut one guy down earlier in the game, we have other guys who can step up and play.”
Mr. Simkus noted the importance of Wabash fans to the game, including the strong student attendance at the games, in the form of the Chadwick Crazies
“This year we’ve been getting some great fan support too which really helps with the home games and close games,” he said. “I think it always helps when you have a winning season with people coming out to see us play.”
The soccer team’s season ended much differently, however. They posted a 4-14 overall record with a 1-8 record in the conference. Mr. Simkus believes the statistics did not reflect the story of the team this year.
I think we definitely played with some great intensity, but our record didn’t show it,” he said. “It didn’t feel like anyone really gave up. We definitely tried to do our best as a team.”
Mr. Simkus noted the change in terms of staff over the past few years probably had an affect on the team’s performance. However, he feels strongly about Head Coach Giannini’s leadership.
“Since I’ve been here I’ve had three coaches in my four years,” Simkus said, “which is not something you’d want to base your program off of. I loved playing for each of the coaches, and you always learn something new from everyone. I think Coach Giannini has a passion for the game and a will to win - you kind of feed off of that as a player. For the season I think he has a great mindset for where he wants to see the program going.”
Mr. Simkus conceded youth also affected the team’s performance.
“We had quite a number of new freshmen come out,” he said. “We didn’t have as many seniors come out. They might have wanted to keep up with their grades, or sometimes you get burnt out on sports too, and it was kind of a combination of everything. I definitely think we held our own, it’s just that most of the time we couldn’t finish it out. I think the team next year has a good start – there were quite a few freshmen who got a lot of minutes this year, so I think we’ll be alright for the season next year.”
“I wish [Coach Giannini] all the best of luck,” he added, “I wish we could have started with him for my freshman year.”
Mr. Simkus’ versatility as a player was a major boon for the soccer team this year. He led the team in points, goals and assists.
“I played all positions,” he said, “defense, midfield, forward. A lot of times they had me play midfield so I could go up and score if they could find my head in the air. I’m 6’ 6”. It’s a little different because I’m usually the tallest one playing. On the basketball court, I look kind of average. It all depends on what sport you’re playing.”
As a skilled athlete in two college sports, Mr. Simkus feels it is important to pass his knowledge onto others – regardless of age.
“I really have had a good time with soccer and basketball,” he said. “I’ve kind of created my own business on the side during the summer. I call it, “You’re Never Too Old To Learn.” I teach usually from five-year-olds all the way up to adults. I’ve had parents come up and ask me for some tips, and we’d do the training in the backyard or in a park near by.”
“I’ve had a great time working with my community,” Mr. Simkus said.