Hall of Fame
Curtis Simons
Coach Curtis Simons of Emporia High School has been a tremendous contributor to the Kansas wrestling community for many years. After capturing the 105-pound KSHSAA State Championship in 1978, the Scott Community High School graduate wrestled for Ft. Hays State University where he was a two time Midwest Regional Champion and a two time National Qualifier.
In 1982, Coach Simons began his high school coaching career as a Rule 10 coach at Wichita County High School for two years under Coach John Flores. After graduation from college he was the head coach at Hoisington High School and Hoisington Junior High School where he led the Cardinals to two high school and two junior high school M.S.A.A. League championships. At Hoisington Coach Simons accumulated a high school dual record of 59-29-2 and a junior high school record of 47-14-2. He received the Kansas Association of Wrestling Officials’ 3A Coach of the Year for Sportsmanship.
In 1993, Coach Simons assumed the head coaching responsibilities at Emporia High School. Here he led the Spartans to 11 years of Centennial League Championships and 68 individual Centennial League Champions. He had 5 team Regional Championships and 2 Regional Runner-up finishes. His team finished as 6A Kansas State Champions in 2000, 1996, and 1995. Also, his teams finished as 6A State Runner-up in 2004, 1999, 1998, and 1997. In 2000 USA Today ranked his mighty Spartan team as one of the “Top 100 Teams” in the nation. During his 11-year leadership, the Spartans were 101-11-1, a remarkable 90% winning record. In his 18-year head coaching career, Coach Simons had the opportunity to coach 136 State Qualifiers, 77 of those were state medalists: 15 State Champions, 11 State Runners-up, 16 State Third Place State Medalists, 15 Fourth Place State Medalists, 11 Fifth Place Medalists, and 9 Sixth Place State Medalists.
Coach Simons was nominated for National Wrestling Coach of the Year in 2004; the KWCA 6A State Coach of the Year, 2000 and 1995; the KAWO 6A Coach of the Year Sportsmanship Award, 2000; KVOE Radio Sportscasters Club Coach of the Year, 2000, 1996, and 1995.
Curtis Simons has been the Principal at Hartford High School/Neosho Rapids Junior High School for the past 5 years. He resides in Emporia with his wife Christy and his two daughters, Alexis and Mikayla, and son Trey. He attributes his success to having great student/athletes and parents to work with and knowledgeable and supportive staff, friends, and family. His philosophy has always been that success comes with hard work and dedication. His athletes always peaked at the right time by learning from their losses. Wrestling and life are like a chess game; you carefully consider your options, look for the best move and learn from your mistakes. Wins and losses are not as important as the learning process that happens during the journey.