(Columbia Daily Tribune, Friday, August 20, 1954)
Missouri Quarterback club members - the men who carry the torch for the University of Missouri athletic teams throughout the state - gatherred at the Columbia Country Club las night to present a new automobile to John (Hi) Simmons, the coach who piloted the Tiger baseball team to the National Collegiate Athletic Association championship at Omaha last Spring.
The presentation was made by Warren Dalton, president of the Columbia Quarterback Club, which was host to representatives of other clubs throughout the state who assembled here for the ceremony and the dinner which followed. The visiting quarterbackers were guests of the host club at an afternoon of golf prior to the presentation.
Simmons, named Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches' Association earlier this week, was visibly moved by the ceremony.
"A lot of good things have happened to me lately," he said, "and right now I've got a few blood clots in my veins. I intended to tell a few baseball stories here, but darned if I haven't forgotten them.
Speaking later at the dinner, Simmons gave credit to his two slugging outfielders, Bob Musgrave and Jerry Schoonmaker, both of whom hit over .400 for the season.
"Both those boys are playing semi-pro ball up North this Summer, and when they get back, they'll probably want to borrow my car," he quipped.
Referring to his selection as coach of the year, the Tiger mentor said, "I'm sure there are many other coaches who deserved the honor just as much as I did. There are about 350 coaches in the country, and since they only make the award once a year, I'm afraid some of them won't live long enough to get it."
Mahlon Aldridge, who served as toastmaster, introduced out-of-town guests, other sports figures, and members of the press. Other speakers were Don Faurot, university athletic director and football coach, Basket Coach Sparky Stalcup, Charles Proctor, John Staple and Dalton.
Dalton said that about 350 persons, members of the Quarterback clubs and friends of Simmons were contributors to the project, which included trading in Simmons' old car for the new one - a procedure which was carried on behind the back of the coach of champions. About 30 clubs from every part of the state had a part in the project.
Faurot, paying tribute to Simmons, said, "It couldn't happen to a nicer guy" and pointed out that he had gotten the Tiger mentor his first coaching job at Mountain Grove High School before bringing him to the university here.
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