Drew University Athletics

Harry Simester coached men's basketball for 22 years from 1935-57. From 1927-33, Harry served as director of the gymnasium at Ohio Wesleyan, from which he graduated in 1933. He was an active member of the local Y.M.C.A. At the age of 31, Simester and his wife, Helen, came east, and he began a career at Drew as athletic director and head basketball coach.

Taking over a losing team, Simester won his first game and led the Drew Circuit Riders to a 7 and 6 record, the very first winning season. It was not to be the last. For over two decades Coach Simester managed a 133 - 189 record, having his best seasons in 1936-37 (10-4), 1938-39 (13-2), 1940-41 (12-3), and 1943-44 (14-3). Simester also had the distinction of coaching Drew's first All-American student athlete, Milton Winch C'41.

Simester acted as a voluntary assistant baseball coach for Doc Young from 1935-55, and he served as chair of the physical education department for 36 years (1935 to 1971). As athletic director, he created the student intramural program, which now involves over 70 percent of the student body. Harry also developed the physical education curriculum and served as a member of the college faculty until his retirement in 1971. An active Madison community resident, he volunteered his time for the Madison Y.M.C.A.