Since he was a child, Alan Sims has been devoted to track and field.
From toddler beginnings to the present—competing globally at age 60—Sims counts his years on the track as a calling.
“I was introduced to track at 9 years old by my cousin, who was my babysitter,” said Sims. “She would take me to track practice with her, and she suggested that I try running track. That cousin went on to run track at Prairie View and became teammates with Mary Ayers, my high school’s head coach for girls’ track.”
That introduction began what has now been a 50-year journey defined by speed, leaps, medals and a purpose far bigger than athletics.
High school standout
Sims’ natural athleticism shone early. At Willowridge High School, he excelled in both football and track. In 1982, he was a defensive back on Willowridge’s 4A state championship football team. On the track, however, he found his true stride, earning “Track Athlete of the Year” in his senior year.
His impact on the school and community has endured—he was inducted into the Willowridge Wall of Honor in 2007, cementing his place among the school’s greats.
Called to run
A post-high school injury seemed to end Sims’ competitive track dreams before they could truly blossom. He never ran in college, and for a time, he believed his days in the sport were behind him.
However, in 1986, three years removed from competition, Sims received a life-changing phone call from his old high school teammate, Ronnie Niles.
“Niles called me out of the blue one day and said, ‘Come on, man, we’re gonna train.’ I was like, ‘Train for what?’ Next thing I know, I’m running and working out on the regular with Niles at Rice University, like we never missed a beat,” Sims said.
That phone call reopened a door that would never close. In his late 20s, Sims returned to competition, first on the open circuit and eventually as part of Team USA Masters.
Masters excellence
“Masters track and field consists of athletes from the ages of 30 through 100. You compete on teams of five-year age increments,” said Sims. “I’ve been competing in masters track and field since I was 37 years old. In each age group, every five years, you’re the baby in the bunch.”
Today, he competes in the 60–64 age group. His longevity and talent have carried him onto multiple Team USA runs.
“I’ve been a member of Team USA four times. Next month, I’ll be on my fifth Team USA Masters squad and will compete in Mexico City from November 6 to 9. That’ll be my last Team USA that I compete on,” he said.
Not everyone believes him. His daughter, Nia—who ran track at the University of Oklahoma—laughed when hearing her father’s words on walking away from the sport.
“Yeah, he’s about to retire. Again,” shared Nia.
Still, Sims speaks with a reflective seriousness about what the sport has given him.
“I’ve been at it for 50 years, and it’s allowed me to literally travel the world and meet people from the common man to ambassadors to presidents of different countries,” shared Sims. “I’ve been fortunate to compete in nine different countries and 47 states. So, track has allowed me to live my dream and meet great people.”
For Sims, track isn’t just a sport—it’s a divine calling.
“Through track, I’m able to demonstrate God’s talent that he blessed me with, and to help motivate the youth. That’s been my purpose,” he said.
Longtime friend and track world record holder Bill Collins affirmed Sims’ greatness.
“I saw great talent in him and always told him, ‘Enjoy your abilities and accomplishments, and it will carry you a long way in life,’” said Collins. “He has established himself as one of the best long jumpers and sprinters in his age group in the world. He’s an outstanding athlete and individual, and I’m so glad to have him as a lifelong teammate and friend.”
Passing the baton
That purpose has extended far beyond his own competitions. Since 1987, Sims has coached youth athletes for clubs like Wings Track Club and Northwest Flash, as well as for private high schools.
“I’ve had many athletes go on to college and pursue their dreams. That’s my pride and joy, to be able to pass on my knowledge and help the youth,” Sims said.
Among those athletes were his own children, Nia and Akili. Nia earned a track scholarship to Oklahoma, becoming an All-Big 12 star, while Akili attended Prairie View A&M University on an academic scholarship.
Sims said coaching his kids required clear boundaries.
“I only had one rule. When we came through the gate, I was no longer Dad. I was just Coach,” Sims recalled. “At first, they didn’t understand that. But they got what I was talking about. I treated them no differently from anyone else. In fact, I probably had more expectations from them because they were my kids.”
Nia recalled the double-edged sword of that arrangement.
“The best thing was the convenience. If I needed to stretch something out, if I needed all the gadgets you need to be successful in track, my dad had it,” she said. “The worst thing was also the convenience. He was always there, always nitpicking. So, I had to be more aware of what I did outside of practice, because my coach was still there.”
His influence extended well beyond family.
Frank Mason, who first met Sims while seeking a triple-jump coach for his son, praised him as a pillar of the sport.
“Alan has coached more champions, All-Americans, and national record holders than any one man should be able to lay claim to, yet he still maintains his humble ways,” Mason said. “I often tease him that when I get to heaven and pass through the pearly gates, I’m going to see Jesus for the first time and all he’s going to ask me is, ‘Have you seen Alan lately?’”
The finish line
As Sims prepares for his final Team USA Masters competition, he reflects with gratitude rather than regret.
“If track were a person, I would simply say thanks for the amazing journey that you have taken me on,” said Sims. “You have allowed a kid from Missouri City, Texas, to see the world and experience things that most people will never see or do.”
He also offers heartfelt thanks to those who stood by him.
“I sincerely want to thank my family for putting up with me all those years of missed family gatherings and being my biggest supporters,” added Sims. “I love you and I truly appreciate you. I just hope that I was able to be an inspiration to you.”
Whether or not Mexico City truly marks the finish line, one thing is certain: Alan Sims has already left footprints on the track—and in the lives of countless others—that will endure long after the final race is run.
