Two-sport athletes are a dying breed. Their existence, once ubiquitous, and the lifeblood of college athletics, has been relegated to a select few who keep the tradition alive. It is difficult for the modern fan to fathom that players once played football and baseball. Scores of football All-Americans eschewed NFL contracts to pursue baseball. Looking back, it seems bizarre until the reader observes the same halfback with dazzling long runs would also hit long bombs. Some athletes went beyond two sports and participated in four. Hall of Fame halfback “Light Horse” Harry Wilson had an elite nickname but also won varsity letters in four sports at West Point: basketball, baseball, football & track & field. The Bison's, Christy Mathewson, primarily known for his world-class pitching, also played fullback for the football team and center on the basketball squad. Bucknell’s Chris Sims carries the modern torch for the declining species. He patrols the gridiron as a cornerback for Bison football and jumps for track & field.

Like most Bison student-athletes, Sims was drawn to the campus on the Susquehanna by the unique balance presented between athletic endeavours and scholastic pursuits. Many institutions speak of the student-athlete model, but at Bucknell, it is the keystone of the university's athletic programs.

“I chose Bucknell mainly because of the academic and athletic challenges presented to me. Academically it was a good fit. Athletically, I knew being in the Patriot League for football and track & field was where I was, so Bucknell was perfect for me.”

Like many athletes, and people for that matter, his first dream was something different. For Sims, basketball was his passion. But fate, always containing a mischievous temperament, had other plans.

“Honestly, I thought I was going to play college basketball. If you told me in sixth grade I would have been playing college football and track & field, I wouldn’t have believed you. Football was natural for me. I was attached to it. Track & field was something I didn’t develop an interest in until I was a sophomore in high school and saw my brother, who ran track at Bucknell, perform.”

Bucknell also has a family connection. Brother, Micah Sims, ran track & field for Bucknell from 2016 to 2020. His career, as a sprinter and jumper, marked by high marks at Patriot League Championships abruptly, ended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which erased the 2020 outdoor track & field season. Fortunately, Sims was present for his last championship match, the 2020 indoor championships at Lehigh.

He juggles two sports by keeping perfect timing. The proverbial 24 hours seems long until practices, rest, study, classes, and general living draw upon their share.

“Much of it is timing. I ensure I get my track practices in before I head out to spring football practice. Also making sure I get my homework done before heading out to late-night football meetings. Taking care of my body is paramount.”

His major plays a large role in how he manages his time. Economics is a famously difficult field. The numbers are merciless. There is no dodging or softness in their tactics.

"Balancing my athletics and schoolwork has always been my focus. My mother even keeps an eye on it. People might not think it but how I perform athletically correlates with how I perform academically. Deciding to work on extra math problems and reading will take him farther than watching the latest Netflix show. That doesn't mean I forego downtime."

Sims handles the overlapping skill sets by focusing on strength. It is paramount for him to ensure he doesn't lose any strength from the grueling pace both sports contain.

“The strength aspect. The goal is keeping up my strength throughout the entire year from August to May. I try to keep my speed and competitive nature up.”

The football season ends in November and as Bison fans know, indoor track & field begins in early December with the traditional, to borrow a phrase from Head Track & Coach Kevin Donner, "rust-buster" of the Bison Opener in early December. That allows little time for Sims to transition from the gridiron to Gerhard Fieldhouse. Readers might be surprised to hear despite his status as a jumper, Sims converts over to track & field via a different athletic approach.

“When football season ends, I start with a lot of conditioning to get used to racing on the track again. Then after a week or so of straight running, I start jumping and getting into the sand.”

Sims' success and availability depend on the understanding of his coaches. Fortunately, his coaches are supportive of his decision to compete in two sports. Jumps coach Ozzie Brown has his jumper's back.

“Coach Ozzie has been great. He came midway through my freshman year. When he got here, he supported me being a two-sport athlete. He understood the steps I needed to take to train my body from football to track.”

Coach Brown foresees great accomplishments in his young charge's future. Sims has been a constant top-10 finisher in the triple jump at the Patriot League Championships, with a high-water mark of fourth (45-4 1/4) at the 2022 Indoor Championships. He raved about Sims' leadership (he serves as a captain) and his improvement in form.

"Chris has been a great leader for the Jumps group both on and off the track. Him being a junior and having a young core of jumpers will mean a great future for Bison Jumps. We are in a good spot to work on some technical things with the triple jump and are on the cusp of a big jump. His eyes are set on getting into the top 10 all-time, near 14.55. It is a doable task, and I know he is up to it!"

Despite playing for two teams, Sims was named a captain of the men's track & field team. But any fan who knows the Bucknell track & field teams shouldn't be surprised. The two programs, regardless of their famously large rosters, are as tight or maybe even closer than the smallest rosters on campus. They mingle freely between the dashmen, hurdlers, jumpers, and throwers. It is an individualistic sport tied together with a close-knit squad. Sims attributes his election to his ability to interact genuinely with every segment.

"I was able to connect with every group. I love hanging out and watching the sprinters and throwers practice or seeing the distance guys warm up. Taking that extra step of always being around helped."

The track & field athletes have high praise for Coach Donner and anyone who spends a smidgen of time with the head man quickly sees why. He lives and breaths Bucknell track & field.

“Coach Donner is enthusiastic about track and field. He loves everything about track & field. He knows the Patriot League. He understands why he takes to win championships and be a successful program. It is something I value.”

Sims' football accomplishments have been solid. He has played in 27 career games, with five starts. Statistically, he has recorded 45 tackles, six pass breakups, and one interception. He had 30 tackles in 2023, including a career-high seven in the Cornell victory. Safeties coach McNeil Parker provided a great summary about Sims.

"Sims always impresses me by coming every day with a positive attitude and a smile on his face while at the same time bringing a worker's attitude. Chris consistently brings great energy and effort to everything he does."

Bolstered by newly arrived quarterback Ralph Rucker and several new staff members, the 2023 Bison, despite inopportune injuries and some ill-fated fortune, posted a deceiving 4-7 record. They held undefeated in the regular season FBS James Madison to 38 points, prompting a quarterback change that galvanized the Dukes. The Bison fought #12 Holy Cross to a standstill through three-quarters. The future is bright for the program, and Sims cannot wait for the 2024 season, which features plenty of challenging foes.

“This group is probably the closest team since I arrived here in 2021. We have the skills. We just need to put together four quarters together. This team is going to bring plenty of excitement to the school.”

Sims' connection with football extends beyond Christy Mathewson Stadium. Starting on March 5, he will be in the company of a select few chosen to participate in a five-week Virtual Diversity Development Series hosted by the Philadelphia Eagles, For Sims, a lifelong Eagles fan, this offers him a chance to explore and network the possibilities of an executive career from a franchise known for cutting-edge tactics.

"I want to work in a front office. I have been looking around and saw this opportunity. It is eight different online sessions where front office workers from the Eagles will host Zoom calls and discuss their day-to-day decisions and how they reached their current level. It is a great opportunity to learn about the front office."

Playing two sports has prepared Sims to juggle the future of his personal and professional lives. He is battle-tested, trained, dedicated, focused, and ready to lead Bucknell football and track & field into future campaigns.

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