Ronald Simms Jr. was named the head coach of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women’s bowling team in September of 2024.
“After conducting a national search, we are excited to welcome Coach Simms to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore,” says Vice President of Athletics Tara A. Owens. “Coach Simms has an unmatched passion for the sport of bowling and brings a wealth of experience to UMES. Under his leadership, we believe our student-athletes will thrive on the lanes, in the classroom and in the community.”
Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Simms recently served as head bowling coach of Virginia State University from 2012 to 2021. He has been an operator at the Orbdrillers Pro Shop since 2010, and he also created the Anti-Negativity Network YouTube channel in addition to hosting a Facebook live every Thursday.
In his first season as head bowling coach, the Trojans finished in second place at the 2012 CIAA Bowling Championships. Since that time, the Trojans have finished in the top 3 in the conference each year, including winning the CIAA Conference Championship in 2014. The Trojans have also performed in the classroom while routinely claiming the highest team GPA in the CIAA, including during the team’s 2014 championship season. The team also earned the highest GPA in the NTCA in 2018. During Simms’ tenure, the team never finished lower than fourth in the conference in GPA. Simms has developed multiple all-conference selections including two CIAA Conference Players of the Year (Rebecca Clements and Ariel Haith).
With over 30 years of experience and involvement in the sport of bowling, Simms has been very active on and off the lanes. Prior to and while coaching at VSU, Simms served in a variety of leadership positions including as President for the Greater Richmond Bowling Senate of The National Bowling Association. Simms is a former Election Chairperson for The National Bowling Association (2008-2012), a former member of the Policy and Procedures Committee and Budget Committee of The National Bowling Association. He now serves as the National President of The National Bowling Association, Inc., which has been in existence since 1939 with a membership of over 17,000 members and growing.
Simms has been a staff member of Hammer Bowling (2007 – present) and Logo Infusion Apparel (2017 – 2019). In 2007 and 2012, Simms placed first in the doubles event of the TNBA National Championship Tournament held in Louisville, Kentucky and in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has recorded 300 games on 36 occasions and has bowled an 800 series eight times in his career. In 2017 he teamed up with Reneece Porter to record the second highest doubles game in the nation for the 2016-2017 season. They also recorded the highest series in the nation with a 1575.
Coach Simms was inducted into both the Greater Richmond Bowling Senate of the TNBA Hall of Fame in 2011 and in the Greater Richmond United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 2015.
“It is an honor to be selected to coach at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. UMES has a great history of success and I look forward to working with our student-athletes as we strive for championships,” says Simms. “I believe lessons are learned being a member of a team which helps our students win on the lanes and, most importantly, in life. Together, we can do all things. I have a strong faith, conviction and confidence that Hawk bowlers will be successful in whatever they do.”
Simms holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Western Governors University. He is married and is the father of three children along with five grandchildren.
He takes over a UMES bowling program coming off a MEAC Championship along with appearances in the NCAA Regional Tournament and USBC Team Championships last season.
