Sims High School

Sims High School served African American students in Union County, South Carolina.[1] It was founded in 1927. Rev. A. A. Sims (1872 - 1965) served as principal from its establishment until 1951.[2] It became the first state-accredited high school for African-Americans in the Upstate in 1929.[2] Sims was succeeded as principal by James F. Moorer from 1951 to 1969. He also coached the football team and from 1946 to 1954 recorded 93 consecutive conference wins, 8 years straight.[3][4]

A new Sims High School opened at in 1956 at 200 Sims Drive, Union. C. A. Powell, a white man, was the high school’s final principal from 1969 to 1970[4] when it was converted to a junior high school with desegregation in 1970. It closed in 2009. A new Sims Middle School subsequently opened.[2]

Oral interviews of graduates and a 2006 reunion were held for the high school.[5] A historical marker has commemorated the school's history.[4] According to the marker: Alumni include the first black head coach in NCAA Division I-A football, the first coach of a black college basketball team in the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), and the first black Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army.[4] Willie Jeffries played for coach Moorer and went on to coach South Carolina State University.[3]

In 2020 the school building was still in good condition and it was suggested it be re-opened as an elementary school.[6]

References
  1. "Sims High School".
  2. Times, Union (13 August 2017). "Old Sims property worth $2 million | Union Daily Times".
  3. Calif.), DAMIN ESPER, Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek. "Old Sims High: The nation's ignored football power State, national record books don't list Union County school's amazing winning streak". GoUpstate.
  4. "South Carolina Education - Union County". www.carolana.com.
  5. "Sims High School (Union, S.C.) [WorldCat Identities]".
  6. Warner, Charles (18 January 2020). "Clearing and cleaning Sims Jr. High". The Union Times. Retrieved 23 July 2021.

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