University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
Tim Simpson 1962 - Cross Country, Skiing, Track and Field
A 1997 UVM Hall of Fame inductee who was an outstanding all-around track and field performer, Tim Simpson earned letters in track and field (three), cross-country running (three) and Nordic skiing (two) at Vermont. Since then, he has gone on to become a world-class Masters competitor.
He captained the cross-country team in 1961 and 1962, and was captain of the track team in 1962 as well. In Nordic skiing he placed 11th in cross-country at the 1962 Eastern Championships.
In track and field, Simpson was the Vermont State Champion in the javelin in 1961 and 1962 and in the Yankee Conference meet, he was third in 1961 and second in 1962 with his best throw being 193 feet. In the 880 (half-mile), he was Vermont state champion as a senior after finishing runner-up in both 1961 and 1962. He also finished in the top five in the 880 in the Yankee Conference Championships all three years, with his best time being 1:59. In the mile, he was Vermont state champion in 1963 and his best time was 4:30. In the long jump, he placed at the Vermont state meet all three years, and was fourth in the Yankee Conference in 1963. His best leap: 20-feet-10-inches.
A longtime coach and teacher at Lyndon Institute, Simpson coached UVM Hall of Famer and US Olympian Judi St. Hilaire, along with his son and namesake, Tim Simpson, who was an All-American miler at Michigan State. He also coached his daughter, Susan, who set the Vermont high school Division II track records in the 800 and 1,500 meters.
A successful competitor in Masters' competitions, Simpson won the 1990 National title in the Masters' Mile for the 55-59 age group in an amazing time of 4:57.2. At the 1986 National Masters' Championships, he was second in the 5,000-meters and third in the 1,500-meters. Simpson ran a 4:15.0 in the 1,500-meters at the age of 46.
A former school board member in the Town of Lyndon as well as a Lyndon Selectman, Simpson was honored as Vermont Chemistry Teacher of the Year in 1986. Tim and his wife, Sara (UVM '63), are the parents of three children: Tim, Beth Hahr (UVM '88) and Susan.
