ATHLETICS

Ahmed Musa’s American Dream

From Egypt to Des Moines, Ahmed Musa’s journey to Simpson College spans more than 6,500 miles.

Musa, a first generation student spent the first two years of his life in Egypt, before his family moved to the east coast of the United States. Musa’s family has now put down roots in Iowa.

“My parents wanted me to have a better life in America,” said Musa. “They wanted me to achieve the American dream to go to college and be successful.”

The oldest of six kids, Musa is following his parents’ wishes while enrolled at Simpson College. The transition to another continent was easy due to Musa’s young age, but moving to college just 20 miles south of his parents proved to be a challenge.

“I wasn’t prepared for college and had no idea what the lifestyle was like since my parents hadn't experienced the academic life here in the U.S.,” said Musa. “I was homesick at first and not used to campus, so I would always go home when I could during the season.”

Now a junior on the men’s basketball team, Musa has relied on athletics and TRIO-Student Support Services to help him build a strong foundation. “I meet with Marzia CorniBenson (former director of TRIO-Student Support Services and current director of foundation and government support programs) every other week to keep her updated and we constructed a plan on what needed to be done,” he said. TRIO has given tools to Musa so he can succeed on campus; now, he gives back to fellow first-generation students.

Since Musa is the first in his family to go through the college application process, he is tasked with helping his siblings fill out scholarship forms, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and even set up tours at schools. He is familiar with helping people through obstacles as he supported his parents during the process of becoming U.S citizens after he was awarded citizenship in 2018.

Musa’s helping hand stretches further than his family as he’s already developed a company, the Laced Up Foundation, that’s changing lives in Des Moines. The project is designed to donate shoes to at-risk youth and the homeless, while trying to create awareness of poverty in the

“Helping those around you can lead to things you’ve never imagined.” – Ahmed Musa '21 Interactive Media Major

Des Moines Area. “I’m doing this because I want to create a spark for those around me and show that change really starts with you,” he said. “Helping those around you can lead to things you’ve never imagined.”

Musa’s desire to help others started right before he came to Simpson. There was a place near his home where he could donate items. “Shoes can be materialistic, but they are a key stepping stone to being successful,” he said. “Without shoes, you can’t go to school, get a job or do other things to become successful in life.”

The basketball community that Musa has been part of has shown interest in his foundation. In fact, a former coach has donated more than 200 pairs of shoes to help Musa nurture his business, which has grown due to posters being shared around campus and in the community.

“I’m trying to be a role model for my siblings and for my community.”

Play Hard! Have Fun!

Earning 600 wins as a college basketball coach is a rare feat. In fact, only 10 active coaches in Division III women’s basketball have reached the milestone.

Brian Niemuth, head coach of the Simpson women’s basketball team, is now one of the 10.

The longtime head coach of the Storm earned his 600th career win when Simpson beat Millikin 76-69 on Dec. 21, 2019. Each one of Niemuth’s wins — totaling 611 by season’s end — has come during his 33 years at Simpson, making him the eighth-winningest active head coach in Division III. To put the accomplishment in perspective, Niemuth’s teams have averaged 18.5 wins per year in seasons that typically span 25 games.

Before Niemuth or his players take the court, he always writes “Play Hard! Have Fun!” on the board as a reminder for his team while on the hardwood. Niemuth’s message has been instilled in his players — some of whom are now coaches themselves — who use the slogan in their pregame routines.

“Simpson gave me a great opportunity and has been supportive in allowing me to be successful on the court,” said Niemuth. “At Simpson, it's not just about basketball. It's about getting a good education so individuals graduate and become

productive, well-rounded people.”

In athletics, it’s tough to find a person that has stayed at the same institution for as long as Niemuth, but when you only have three losing seasons in 33 years, it’s hard to leave. “I was going to be at Simpson for three to four years to get some head coaching experience,” he said. “But I fell in love with Iowa, Simpson College and met my wife here, and now we won’t be going anywhere else.”

Climbing the career victory list seems like a goal for many coaches, but it wasn’t for Niemuth. “None of the numbers were ever goals, they just sort of happened,” he said. “I think that’s part of why I obtained the wins: I didn't worry about it.”

Niemuth's teams have won 11 conference championships, made 10 NCAA Tournament berths and three Sweet 16 appearances. What he values the most, though, is seeing his players succeed in life. I get my main enjoyment from seeing them years after they’ve graduated from Simpson College,” said Niemuth.

Reinert Credits Teamwork For "Coach Of The Year" Honor

In only his second season as head coach, Jeremy Reinert ’13 earned the title of 2019 American Rivers Conference Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year.

Jeremy Reinert led the Storm to a 10-4-5 record in 2019, the program’s most wins since the 2011 campaign. He became just the third coach in program history to receive conference coach of the year honors.

“I was incredibly humbled to earn the award,” said Reinert. “I didn't connect a pass, take a shot, or make a save, so while I understand what the award means, it still seems misdirected. The defense our team played as a collective group is what set us up to succeed.”

Reinert grew up in Indianola, graduated from Indianola High School and was an all-conference men’s soccer player at Simpson. His wife, Amy, is also from Indianola.

As Reinert prepares for his third season in 2020, he brings back a trio of players who landed on the all-conference team in 2019. The team hopes to use that experience to reach new heights in 2020. To re-live the success of the 2019 season, visit the women’s soccer page on SimpsonAthletics.com.