THE HEART OF A COWBOY

THE HEART OF A COWBOY

Eddie Sims inducted into ASAA Totusek Arena Hall of Fame

Passion. Dedication and enthusiasm. The legacy Eddie Sims has at Oklahoma State University goes far beyond the accumulation of any awards, but rather his legacy lives through the hearts of those he impacted and continues to influence.

From his years as a student, to the time he has spent as a professional investing in OSU, the 2020 OSU Animal Science Alumni Association Totusek Arena Hall of Fame recipient has served a pivotal role in the progression of key components within the cattle industry, while keeping the individuals around him at the forefront of his mind.

Born in 1942, Sims was raised in Lawton, Oklahoma and would go on to graduate from the Department of Animal Husbandry at OSU in 1964. It was only fitting that each of Sims three children also went on to graduate from OSU, with his two sons receiving degrees in animal science.

Today, Sims is proud of the progress that not only the department of animal and food sciences has made, but the entire university.

“No animal science department in the U.S. can come close to matching Oklahoma State,” he said. “We have OSU alumni all over the country, who are successful.”

While at Oklahoma State himself, Sims was a member of the 1963 livestock judging team, a team that finished top five at every contest, including being named champion team at the American Royal where Sims was awarded high individual.

“Judging was a bit different back then,” he said. “We evaluated both horses and livestock before there was a horse judging contest.”

No matter the species, Sims is a firm believer in

the vital role judging teams play in the lives of young people as well as the department.

“Being a part of the judging team launched my career and did so much for me,” Sims said. “I would hate to see the day we never have them.” An Unbreakable Bond

For the 2020 OSU ASAA Totusek Arena Hall of Fame Chairback recipient, it is evident that the tradition and legacy of the orange and black runs deep. Thus, perhaps it was the combination of an unbreakable bond with the university and the many judging memories shared that led Eddie Sims and Jarold Callahan to start a livestock judging scholarship.

The Sims/Callahan Livestock Judging Scholarship was created as part of the OSU Branding Success Campaign in 2012 and is awarded to members of the team who travel to the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. “Both Eddie and I believe in judging teams,” said Jarold Callahan, president of Express Ranches. “This livestock judging scholarship is something we started to support the judging team.”

Both Callahan and Sims have sons who have judged and are a part of the rich tradition as well as, brothers, friends and co-workers who were all involved in the judging program. This scholarship allowed for both men to invest in the program they care so strongly about and one Sims takes great pride in.

In 2018, OSU became home to three national champions, winning the title in the disciplines of horse, livestock and meat judging all within the span of three days, a task only one other university has completed in history.

“Having three judging teams win in one year, in three days, is unheard of,” Sims said. “I would stack that kind of success up against anything.”

Whether a judging teams finds success or not, Sims understands first hand just how formative the basic communication skills gained through the program can become for young people.

As Sims was interviewing with the American Polled Hereford Association in 1964, the president of the association at the time was from California and had never heard a set of oral reasons.

“I gave a dummy set of reasons on the spot,” Sims said. “I got hired because of giving that set of reasons too.”

Sims went on to work for the breed association for four years, until Nov. 1, 1968 when he realized his drive to attend auction school. He then went on to build a family auction company, National Cattle Services, Inc, in Elgin, Oklahoma whose doors were open for 50 years, until January 2018. Building the Brand

Known across the country as one of the top auctioneers and sale managers of the last 50 years, Sims forged a career in the livestock marketing industry traveling nationally and internationally. Sims auctioned for some of the largest and most prestigious Hereford and Angus sales in the beef cattle industry. Purebred cattle sales have always been one of his greatest passions, and there are few greater than the OSU Cowboy Classic.

Beginning in 1979, the Cowboy Classic is the annual production sale hosted by the OSU Purebred Beef Center on the Sunday of Animal Science Weekend. For thirty-nine of consecutive years, Sims served as the auctioneer.

“Eddie Sims was the auctioneer every year until he eventually retired,” said Mark Johnson, faculty supervisor for the OSU Purebred Beef Center. “But, even after retiring, he was still there in 2019. He is one of the most supportive and loyal alumni we have.”

According to Johnson, when it came to the Cowboys Classic, Sims would often make multiple trips in the weeks prior to the sale to score the cattle or even fly all the way from from the west coast just to be there by the start of the sale at noon on Sunday. “To describe Eddie as iconic and legendary

would be an understatement,” Johnson added. “He has a big personality, the persona, the knowledge, and the ability to work with people and it all comes together to make him an awesome asset to the purebred beef industry.”

With his eye for cattle and undeniable work ethic, Sims has helped produce cattle sales from coast to coast in all but two states, Alaska and Hawaii, as well as sales in seven Canadian Provinces.

“My life has truly been built around Hereford and Angus cattle,” Sims said “I have worked with and for some of the greatest people.”

Of those great people, Sims sold Bob Funk, owner of Express Ranches who Sims added, has done so much for so many, his first Angus. All the while, Sims also sold an Angus female to President Roosevelt's son in New York, a sell that Sims will not soon forget. From the Cowboy Classic, to Express Ranches and Roosevelt, each of these connections are special, but they also speak to the true professionalism many would use to describe Sims.

“Eddie realized when he was conducting or managing a sale for an individual that it was extremely important to their livelihood and future,” Callahan added. “With that, he put his heart and soul into those events.”

Still, Sim’s legacy in the cattle industry reaches far greater than his love for Angus and Hereord, but rather it is also evident in those he mentored. According to Callahan, the professionalism of Sims, especially when it came to helping young people grow and develop will always be his biggest legacy.

Even so, in Sims eyes, there are a lot more who are far more deserving to be the Totusek Arena Hall of Fame recipient. With his unselfish character, Sims is grateful for all he learned from the many staff members who have worked for him and with him over the years.

Today, its common to see Sims as a guest speaker in various animal science classes, always making the time to stay after and answer questions and often going on to hire or help a number of young OSU graduates begin their careers.

“For all of his accomplishments and all of the fame, it’s the personal side that makes him so special,” said Johnson.

For people like Jarold Callahan and Mark Johnson, Sims is family, someone you learn from because of their nature, personality and workmanship. In the end, it is not just all he continues to do, but how he makes those around him feel, that is the true heart of a cowboy and the undeniable legacy of the 2020 Animal Science Alumni Association Totusek Arena Hall of Fame Chairback recipient, Mr. Eddie Sims.

Written by Lizzi Neal