Jimmy Lee Sims Jr. (born February 19, 1978) is an American former Track and Field record holder in the Long Jump and the Indoors 400 meter dash at Eastern Illinois University (1998/99).
Sims attended Manual High School(93-97)in Peoria, Illinois, where he was a member of one of the most heralded basketball teams in the nation. Sims started on Peoria Manual basketball team for two years, ran track for four years and played football for 3 years, along with running cross country for one year. Sims averaged 13.4 points per game, 9 assist, 7 rebounds, 3.8 steals, and 2 blocks per game. Sims led the Manual Rams in varsity points in track and field two years straight and was a member on two of the only two record holding relay teams throughout his four years in high school. As a kickoff return specialist Sims accomplished a record 106 yard kickoff return to start the season off in 1996. During Sims high school football career he was able to make second team offense in his conference as a Wide Receiver, and first team special teams. Sims was 100% at kicking field goals during the 96/97 season in which only one attempted was tried in place of Manuals injured main kicker. Sims obtain more yards receiving then 90 percent of all conference school receivers in 1997 and was named athlete of the week in football by Jim Mattson. Sims also ran cross county and worked hard to get his time down in the low 17 minute mark in his 3 mile meets, in which he accomplished.
Eastern Illinois was were Sims athletic breakout period in his life happen. Sims studied Management and excelled in Track and Field. Sims made the Eastern Illinois Football team, but shortly after had to leave the team due to wanting to improve his academic standing and to focus on Track and Field. Sims broke the long jump record his long jump coach held almost 20 years prior by long jumping 24 feet and 3 quarters of an inch as a sophomore. Sims stayed active and ran for President of his Freshman Dorm class as well as joined the Greek Fraternity Beta Phi Pi. Sims was not able to complete his final year at Eastern Illinois University and ended up enlisting in the United States Navy in 2000.
While in the U.S. Navy Sims occupation was an Operations Specialist. Operation Specialists have a range of job duties, but the most common ones would be dealing with the tracking of friendly/hostile vehicles, navigation, and other combat related items. Sims was on tour overseas during 9-11 and had front row seats to the brewing war which was named Operation Enduring Freedom. Sims completed 4 years active duty and 2 years in the U.S. Navy reserves and ended his naval time off in 2006. Sims earned a Good Conduct award ribbon, 2 Battle E ribbons, Operation Enduring Freedom ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. While on his ship Sims was a member of the Ships Defense Tactical Team(SDTT) which is the military version of SWAT. Sims also was a member of the Combat System Training Team (CSTT). Sims was nominated to be in the Navy times for over achievement in which he was able to obtain his 3rd class petty officer advancement rate and An unfortunate accident happened during a detail which eventually required a reconstruction surgery of an ACL and Sims was informed due to this surgery is no longer fit to be assigned to a ship ending his passion to remain in the U.S. Navy.
Sims attended numerous schools but would note Illinois Central College where he earned two degrees from, one in Political Science and the other in Law Enforcement in 2010/2011. In 2016 Sims earned his Bachelor Degree in Criminology from University Of Houston.
Family for Mr. Sims is foremost and contributes his happiness to his wife Tanisha Sims, his youngest son Terrence and oldest son Jimmy III. He state his love for both his parents, Jimmy Sr and Shirley, as well as his Sisters, Monica and Celeste, and his brother Gary.