News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-4781 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE FEBRUARY 29, 2008

Basketball Legend Inducted Into ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame

TIFTON—Philip Simpson, a native of Dixie, Ga., who now lives in Lanier County, was recently selected to the inaugural class of the Athletics Hall of Fame at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. The induction ceremony was a part of the college’s Centennial Celebration Week, recognizing ABAC on its 100^th birthday.

“I think it’s great that we’re honoring these men and women during our 100th birthday celebration,” Kramer said. “All of them made significant accomplishments in their particular sports either while they were here at ABAC or after they moved on.”

 Simpson took the college basketball world by storm both at ABAC and at the University of Georgia.  A 1956 graduate of Dixie High School, he played at ABAC during the 1956-57 and 1957-58 seasons.  The 1958 team which finished second in the state tournament was also honored on the Hall of Fame night.

Nicknamed “Goose,” Simpson averaged 26 points per game as a freshman at ABAC when he was named to the Georgia Junior College All-State team.

 During his sophomore season, he averaged 24 points a game for the Stallions and was recognized for being the ninth highest scoring player in the nation. Simpson was selected for All-America status and was chosen as the most valuable player in the state tournament where ABAC finished second.  ABAC retired his jersey on the night of his last game as a Stallion.

Simpson finished his college career as a two-year starter for the University of Georgia where legendary Kentucky Coach Adolph Rupp called him “the best rebounder in the SEC” in 1960.

Simpson played for Georgia Coach Red Lawson and was named Most Valuable Player for the Bulldogs during his junior season when he led UGA in total field goals, total free throws, rebounds, total points and a 14.1 scoring average.

Simpson was named captain of the UGA team during his senior season.  He was a second team All-SEC selection for the 1960-61 season.  He received the Joe Jordan Memorial Trophy for his outstanding play that year.

Other members of the Hall of Fame included Orion Mitchell, Bruce Gressette, Thomas Cheney, Norman Hill, and Milena Stanoytcheva.  Mitchell, Gressette, Cheney, and Stanoytcheva were honored posthumously.

###