Margaret Simmons Women’s Track & Cross-Country Coach, 1968-1991
Inducted into Murray State Hall of Fame in 2004
One of the most highly respected members of her profession, Margaret Simmons is still a well-known leader in women’s intercollegiate athletics, even decades after her coaching career ended.
Earned her bachelor’s degree from Ashland College and master’s from Kent State.
Was a track & field athlete in high school and competed at Kent State.
Arrived at Murray State in 1967 and had a vision to start a women’s track & field program.
In 1968, that vision came true when Simmons became the first head coach for the Racers.
Started a women’s cross-country program in 1971.
In 23 years are Racer head coach, her teams won eight Ohio Valley Conference championships and were runner-up twice.
Was named OVC Coach of the Year six times.
Prior to OVC organizing women’s track & field at the conference level, Simmons was Kentucky Women’s Athletic Conference Coach of the Year twice.
Her cross-country teams never finished lower than second place in the OVC after the first women’s championship in 1979.
Brought worldwide recognition to Murray State University as she recruited internationally in locations such as the West Indies, Great Britain, Canada and the Caribbean.
Coached four OVC Outdoor Women’s Track & Field Athletes of the Year and three Indoor winners.
Coached two NCAA All-Americans in Stephanie Saleem (Indoor & Outdoor) and Heather Samuel (Outdoor).
Samuel would go on to ultimately bring home five OVC Women’s Athlete of the Year recognitions and compete in the 1992 Olympics.
Simmons also coached several NCAA National Qualifiers.
Literally wrote the book on track & field, as she served as the Women’s Editor of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Rules Book from 1983-1985 and as the Editor of the same publication from 1988-2004.
Was a regular contributor to the NAGWS Track and Field Guide during her career.
Her wisdom of the sport was widely known, including one instance when her suggested that the national championship be reduced from a six-day to a four-day event was adopted by the governing body.
As of 2022, Coach Simmons is a member of three halls of fame.
Inducted into the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Hall of Fame in 2003 as the fifth woman to be inducted.
Became a member of the Murray State Hall of Fame in 2004.
Chosen by the Kentucky Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008.
