PHILLIP= ALL AMERICAN

[delaWarr]

Buck, To the best of my knowledge, you are correct concerning Phillip's being Nashville's first. Pat Simpson can be added to the list of qualifiers (MTSU). Markese Nelson from Memphis also qualified. I think maybe UTC had some other Tennessee qualifiers back in the '70s, possibly in Division II.

 

The daily doesn't need March Madness as an excuse for not including a wrestling item as newsworthy as Phillip's impressive first. Some time ago, I was told that wrestling doesn't register high enough on their readership interest polls to merit very much concern on their part for coverage.

 

The reader editor's information box is found on page 3 of the paper.

[BuckLateral]

Thanks delawar-----I knew one of the "old guys" would know.

 

And you are right about Nashville's "daily rag" (to distinguish it from the other daily, albeit weekdays only, the Nashville City Paper, which has done a good job with its wrestling coverage for its size limitations) and its total lack of interest in non-big two (FB & BB) sports like wrestling. Given his local ties, the impact his family has had on the local sports scene, and , with a war on, the fact that he is at one of the Service Academys, you would think that someone over there would give Phillip's accomplishments some print time. But, sadly, it probably ain't gonna happen. Over at broadway, the front porch light is on but no one's at home. But the sorry state of local sports coverage by the Tennessean is an entirely different thread not meant for this post.

 

So congats to Phillip for being Nashville's first All American.

[sly]

Howard Langford from Cleveland High School was an All-American for UTC. I'm not sure what year or place.

[CoachBlair]

Howard placed 8th in 1991. He came into the tournament undefeated and the 4th seed. Made it to the All-American round, then had to injury default the rest of his matches due to cracked ribs.

[BuckLateral]

More on Phillip's big day last Saturday from a post on the TWF website. Since the newspapers won't see fit to give any print to the recognition Phillip brought to Tennessee in general and Nashville specifically, I guess those of us who are interested will have to get in bits and pieces. Thanks to Louise Davis for this well-written piece-----too bad she isn't a reporter.

 

 

Author Comment

tennwrestling

administrator

(3/26/03 5:34:22 pm)

Reply Saturday, March 22 - A special weekend for Tennessee...

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Saturday, March 22 - A special weekend for Tennessee...

 

Kansas City -- Louise Davis

 

On March 22nd, 2003 Phillip Simpson wrote another page in the Tennessee wrestling history book, more specifically, the Chapter regarding NCAA Division-I All-Americans. That chapter has remained untouched for over a decade. With his 3rd place finish, Simpson became the first D-I, NCAA All-American from the Middle Tennessee/Nashville area and one of a handful over the years from the home state.

 

Cleveland High School's, Howard Langford (UT-Chattanooga) was the last Tennessee High School athlete to advance to a NCAA Division I All-American title. He placed 8th in 1991, when he came into the tournament undefeated and the 4th seed. Langford made it to the All-American round, then had to injury default the rest of his matches due to cracked ribs. Bill Harlow (St. Andrews) won a NCAA title (1st place) at 191 for Oklahoma State back in 1966, and Waylon Lowe is a current two time Div. II Champ and 1 X NAIA Champion with another year to go. Pat Smartt from McCallie was an All-American at Lehigh.

 

Tennessee fans rattled the rafters and the security officers at Kemper Arena as Phillip's supporters could be heard shooting, "ARMYyeee, ARMYyeee, ARMYyeee" ... From my vantage point down on Press row adjacent the Oklahoma State's section with their nearly 600 fans, those Tennessee cheers coming from the opposite end of the arena dominated the noise created by either the Oklahoma fans in their bright orange shirts or any of the other 16,000-plus spectators during the medal rounds on Saturday morning. Simpson's only loss in the tournament came at the hand of Teyon Ware, who wrestled his way through the tournament to become the 2003 141# Champion. Ware, a true freshman and 2 X National Freestyle Champion is extremely is quick and strong.

 

Jack Spates, Oklahoma head coach was quoted, "Simpson is a beast on top. You have got to win tough. Sometimes, people want to win easy. All of the tiredness in your arms, your legs, your burning in the lungs, is what makes you win. Teyon got out. Simpson is as good as they come on top. He got a key escape in the second period."

 

Phillip dominated each the remainder of his medal matches to reach his pinnacle and on his way to the top, he defeated the 2002 NCAA National Champion, Aaron Holker and the #2 seed, Esposito.

 

"Phillip's third-place finish is just a hair away from being a National Champion," commented Army head coach Chuck Barbee. "He took the toughest possible road, having to wrestle the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds, and facing five ranked opponents. His hard work and determination is what got him here and will lead him in the future."

 

Prior to this championship, Phillip's 29 career pins ranks fifth in Army history...he had racked up 68 career victories, the highest 2/yr. total in the Army history book...won the 141/lb. title at EIWA championships... racked up an impressive 14-1 ledger in dual matches...has accumulated a 29-2 two year mark in dual matches. Phillip competed at 149/lbs. the 1st 12 matches of this season before dropping down to 141 for the remainder of the year...recorded nine consecutive wins to open the season and entered this tournament on a 16-match win streak. This season's stats include 9 pins, 4 TFs, and 8 MDs.

 

Immediately following Simpson's final victory, he flew up the stairwell with all the gusto of someone who had just spent the day relaxing and oblivious to the two grueling days he had just spent on the mats. Way up there at the very top (the nose-bleed section) he climbed to Section 216 where he greeted, embraced and thanked his hoarse but joyful supporters. In just a short time five Kemper security officers, obviously alarmed by the boisterous crowd gathered around Tennessee newest hero, arrived in riot gear. Without further ado, they were assured that the Army was already there and that all was well and under control.

 

Among Tennessee's Cheering supporters were: Kenneth Hammonds - GP and Will West - Brian, Whitt and Raymond Dunning - Cory Williams - Greg Wingo - Ralph Williams with his brother, Paul and son, Nate - Tim Terry and Chuck Bean - Matt Gorham - Paul Simpson - Mike Apple - Bobby Davenport and son, Jeremy - Rick Lowry - Joe Blair and his Dad, BR Blair - Jarrod Ruez - Jon Hill - Johnny Masters - Michael Moharri and his Dad, Sid - Gene Davis - Frank and Margaret Simpson and sons Patrick and William - Jim Simpson - Jimmy Hiller - Steve Henry - Gordon Connell and his son, Lee - Jake Yost - Mike Newman - Cody Cleveland - Danny Gilbert - Tommy Fairchild - Mike and Jonathan Simpson - Bill Garrett - Jeff Lester - Ted McCaslin - Mike Weldon - Mike Henderson and his son, Mike, Jr. - Phil and Sue Simpson, Ed Abercrombie and his son Eric - Ryan Scott -Bud Sines - Tony Bradley - Scott Nailen - Steve Logsdon - John Farr and Steve Highlander.

 

On Saturday evening the entire Phillip Simpson family was recognized at a reception dinner Saturday night at Hereford's restaurant in Kansas City following Simpson's success. While the large delegation of Tennessee supporters gathered to feast, celebrate and toast each member of this wrestling dynasty, the group caught the attention of National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Outstanding American, Class of 2002, MAJOR GENERAL KENNETH C. LEURE.

 

The General, who was seated close by, couldn't help but overhear the rowdy Tennessee Army fans and intervened with a surprise congratulatory toast to Phillip. Upon receiving an invitation to join the General at his table, where he and his Iowa friends had gathered for dinner. Phillip was praised and applauded for his success by General Leure.

 

The General was overheard telling Phillip, "You will be a RANGER. You will be a LEADER. I am very proud of you."

 

In 1952 Major General Ken Leuer went to the University of Iowa for a successful career as a two-time All-American with an NCAA 191# championship title in 1956.

 

While at Iowa, he enrolled in the ROTC program earning a Commissioned Officer position. He started his active duty upon graduation, launching a meritorious 32 year military career. Leuer was hand-picked by the Army Chief of Staff and given the charter for the formation of the modern Ranger Battalions. Training was the Rangers top focus and Leuer instilled two values into the elite force; standards and discipline. Leuer started, selected and trained 680 men that are considered the pinnacle of highly trained and specialized troops in the world.

 

His many awards and decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star with two Oak-Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and a Silver Star. He was a charter inductee into the Ranger Hall of Fame and has been awarded the prestigious Order of Saint Maurice, Primicerius Level.

 

He retired from the military in 1988, and assumed the position of President and CEO of Goodwill Industries, a nonprofit organization that specializes in rehabilitation for the disabled and disadvantaged.

 

Major General Leuer credits his successful career not only to the support of his family, but also to the great lessons of discipline and physical/mental preparation that were learned during his many years on the wrestling mat.

 

Former Commander of the Rangers Commander of Fort Benning, Georgia Ranger Hall of Fame Charter Inductee Order of Saint Maurice, Primicerius Level 32 Year Military Career.

 

Following Leure's commentary and in an awesome display of respect, the entire Iowa group stood and toasted Phillip.

 

This was truly a star-spangled evening for all 40-plus attending. The Simpson delegation included: Uncle Paul Simpson, a High School Official; brothers, Patrick, a West Point freshman, and William Simpson, a reigning 2x State Champion; Grandparents, Phil and Sue Simpson; Uncle Mike Simpson, the President Mid-South Wrestling Club; Coach Jonathan Simpson, a cousin; Uncle Jim Simpson, also a High School official; and of course Phillip's proud parents, Coach Frank (Montgomery Bell Academy) and Margaret Simpson. As he has always done, Phillip humbly credited his success to each and every person attending the reception. The event was hosted by Bobby Davenport's Southside Wrestling Club, Mike Apple, Dr. Matt Gorham, and Chuck Bean. This was a SPECIAL evening honoring a special Tennessee family and their very special son, Phillip