Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Spring Senior Scholar-Athlete Spotlight: Will Simmons
5/12/2020 10:30:00 AM | Men's Golf
Thirty-three seniors were on Davidson Wildcat rosters as this spring began, and though their 2020 seasons were abbreviated, their contributions to their respective teams, the overall athletics program and college itself make them worthy of recognition. Each Tuesday and Thursday, we will feature members of the class of 2020 as part of the Senior Spring Scholar-Athlete Spotlight.
Name: Will Simmons
Sport you competed in: Men's Golf
What is your major/minor? Economics
What was your favorite class and why? My favorite class has been Sports Economics, taught by Fred Smith. In that class, we talked a lot of the structure of different sports leagues, wage schemes and issues of equality in professional and amateur sports.
Where are you completing your studies this semester? On Campus!
Though it was cut short, what will you remember most about your senior season? The momentum we built in our first few spring tournaments!
If you had to choose, what was the defining moment of your athletic career? Winning the A-10 Conference my sophomore year.
What was your favorite trip you took as a team and why? We went to Ireland sophomore year and it was an amazing trip. We got to play great links golf courses, eat Irish food and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
What makes a Davidson scholar-athlete different? The amount of commitment that Davidson scholar athletes have both to their classes and to their sports. I don't think many schools, if any, are as rigorous academically and competitive athletically.
You can invite any three people to dinner, who is joining you? Barry Manilow, Tiger Woods and Tom Hanks. The greatest singer/performer, athlete and actor of all time.
Most memorable college moment outside of competition? It was really awesome to have Stephen Curry come to campus my Freshman year. My brother, Andy, was his escort onto the court! I still have my neon green Under Armour t-shirt from the game.
Did you have a pre-game/match/meet superstition? Always make three three-foot putts before starting the round. Gotta build confidence.
What lessons from sports has helped you deal with the unusual situation of the spring semester? You have to play the ball as it lies. In other words, even if you are in a divot, footprint, under a leaf, in an anthill... you have to do the best with the resources you have. This spring was the equivalent of hitting the pin and having the ball roll out of bounds.
What are you most proud of from your time as a Wildcat? My achievements academically and the balance I was able to strike between golf, school and student-life.
Who do you want to thank for their support? I'd like to thank Coach Straub, the athletic training staff (Laura Mancuso, for getting me back into shape after my shoulder surgery), the strength and conditioning coaches (Chuck, Chad, Zack and Jamie) and all of the generous donors to the golf program and to the athletic department.
What's next for you? I'll probably get dinner at Vail Commons in the next little bit. Oh, post-grad! I'm going to be working for a financial technology startup in Austin, Texas.
Name: Will Simmons
Sport you competed in: Men's Golf
What is your major/minor? Economics
What was your favorite class and why? My favorite class has been Sports Economics, taught by Fred Smith. In that class, we talked a lot of the structure of different sports leagues, wage schemes and issues of equality in professional and amateur sports.
Where are you completing your studies this semester? On Campus!
Though it was cut short, what will you remember most about your senior season? The momentum we built in our first few spring tournaments!If you had to choose, what was the defining moment of your athletic career? Winning the A-10 Conference my sophomore year.
What was your favorite trip you took as a team and why? We went to Ireland sophomore year and it was an amazing trip. We got to play great links golf courses, eat Irish food and enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
What makes a Davidson scholar-athlete different? The amount of commitment that Davidson scholar athletes have both to their classes and to their sports. I don't think many schools, if any, are as rigorous academically and competitive athletically.
You can invite any three people to dinner, who is joining you? Barry Manilow, Tiger Woods and Tom Hanks. The greatest singer/performer, athlete and actor of all time.
Most memorable college moment outside of competition? It was really awesome to have Stephen Curry come to campus my Freshman year. My brother, Andy, was his escort onto the court! I still have my neon green Under Armour t-shirt from the game.
Did you have a pre-game/match/meet superstition? Always make three three-foot putts before starting the round. Gotta build confidence.
What lessons from sports has helped you deal with the unusual situation of the spring semester? You have to play the ball as it lies. In other words, even if you are in a divot, footprint, under a leaf, in an anthill... you have to do the best with the resources you have. This spring was the equivalent of hitting the pin and having the ball roll out of bounds.
What are you most proud of from your time as a Wildcat? My achievements academically and the balance I was able to strike between golf, school and student-life.
Who do you want to thank for their support? I'd like to thank Coach Straub, the athletic training staff (Laura Mancuso, for getting me back into shape after my shoulder surgery), the strength and conditioning coaches (Chuck, Chad, Zack and Jamie) and all of the generous donors to the golf program and to the athletic department.
What's next for you? I'll probably get dinner at Vail Commons in the next little bit. Oh, post-grad! I'm going to be working for a financial technology startup in Austin, Texas.
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