California State University of San Bernardino Athletics

Sixteen years at one college campus can seem like a lifetime for a collegiate athletic administrator. For Nancy Simpson, those years at CSUSB went by as quick as a blink of an eye.
 
Much of the growth the Coyote Athletic Department underwent two decades ago and continues today can be attributed to the former athletic director, who served CSUSB coaches, staff, and more importantly student-athletes, from 1991-2007. A state-of-the-art arena that looks as good today as it did when it opened in 1995 happened under her watch. From facilities and fields, to coaches she hired and mentored who continue in their roles at CSUSB, well, it is a no-brainer why Nancy Simpson is a member of the Coyote Hall of Fame Class of 2015.
 
“Honestly, the thing that I’ve proudest about is having the honor to impact student-athletes lives every day,’’ she said. “That’s really what it’s all about. You don’t realize it until later on, but you are affecting lives every day. Whether it’s a face-to-face meeting, or working on a budgetary manner or dealing with personnel, all of it trickled down to students’ lives.’’
 
Simpson, a Marietta, Ga., native, came to CSUSB in 1991 as an associate AD after spending 12 years in a variety of coaching and administrative roles at UC Riverside. Four years later, she became just the third AD in the history of the university. During her time as AD, the Coyotes totaled 11 CCAA team titles and their first six NCAA Division II regional championships in school history.
 
“It was an exciting time to be at CSUSB,’’ said Simpson. “Thanks to the tremendous support of Nick Coussoulis, it was somewhat of a dream to see the arena go from a shovel in the ground to what you see today. Facilities are huge and they have a tremendous impact. The message it says to recruits is huge. They see it and it speaks volumes about the investment the institution has made toward an athletic department. There is no doubt, it has a great impact on the success of those programs that utilize it and Kim (Cherniss) and Jeff (Oliver) have proved it.’’
 
Simpson stepped down from her AD post in the summer of 2007 when she accepted the AD position at Anderson University in South Carolina. The move back east was precipitated by a need to care for her aging parents and she remained in that position until her retirement that became effective just this week.
 
“I really thought I would stay at CSUSB a long, long time,’’ she said “Wayne and I needed to make that move on behalf of family, and it was a good decision at the time. If it weren’t for that, and if the people of CSUSB would have wanted to continue to have me, I would never have left.
 
“I’ve always loved what we were able to accomplish together. It was a great group of coaches and staff and great student-athletes.’’