SPORTS HALL of FAME ATHLETE
Patrick Simonds '06

Another in the category of versatile and excellent Sidney student-athletes in the Class of 2020/2021, Pat Simonds had the size and skills to master his favorite sports. He packed a lot of highlights in his career as a Warrior. From the ranks of little league and modified sports, Pat was promoted to JV in 8th & 9th grade for baseball, and 9th for football and basketball.

Perhaps his best JV highlight was his helping Sidney break a 70+ game Walton football win streak. Sure enough, as part of a super sophomore class, Pat's play as a wide receiver and defensive back helped lead Sidney to a varsity win at Walton the next season. Sadly, they would lose in the Sectional finals in 2003.

As a junior, he set new school records for pass receptions and yards in a game (9/208) and season (34/687) but again the team fell short. By senior year, the season marks were shattered (52 receptions for 1038 yards) as Sidney went the distance. On that 2005 NYS Championship team, Pat also established new standards with 17 TD catches. Perhaps his best "catch" was actually a game-saving interception in the waning seconds of the State semifinal versus Marcus Whitman at the Carrier Dome.

During the winter, Pat was part of two MAC title basketball teams in with a 2004-05 team that went all the way to the Class B semifinals. Soon the term "Thunder Jam" was coined to describe a Pat Simonds slam dunk. Concurrently, his high jumping literally took off, resulting in a Section 4 title and 4th place finish in the State Meet.

Pat's three-year baseball stint was part of a resurgence at Sidney. A 9-8 sophomore season improved to 11-6 in 2005. The Warriors upset higher seeds on their way to a Class B final versus Chenango Valley, Despite a mid-season injury, Patrick batted .400 and was named first team NYS All-Star at shortstop.

His senior year featured repeat first team All-State selections in football and baseball, plus the honor of being a receiver in the prestigious Governor's Bowl. Spring 2006 was time to declare a college and a sport. As we know, the choice was football and the college was Colgate, though it took some time to "come around" as he'll tell you.

By 2008 Pat excelled at 'Gate with solid numbers. He was the team's leading receiver his final two years and was chosen the lone team captain in 2009. Upon graduation, Pat had established two records: 39.2 yards per reception (vs Cornell); 1.27 TD passes caught per game in a full season (2009); and his 3 TD catches vs. Lehigh tied the school mark. He was rewarded with a roster spot at the East-West Shrine Game.

The hope of an NFL career fell short when Pat was released as a "priority free agent" by the Philadelphia Eagles in July 2010. His lifelong Colgate connections helped make a solid transition to a career in the financial world. He and high school sweetheart Christie were married and have returned to New York after a brief time in San Francisco. Pat is currently Managing Director of Avon. NYC

Congratulation Patrick on your Sports Hall of Fame induction!!