June 26, 2017 WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue senior associate athletics director Steve Simmerman will retire Aug. 30.
Simmerman has worked for Purdue Athletics for 34 years, beginning in 1983 as assistant superintendent of Ross-Ade Stadium. He was promoted to superintendent in 1989 and subsequently to facilities operations director in 1996, assistant athletics director in 2003, associate athletics director in 2010 and senior associate athletics director in 2014.
"I consider myself extremely fortunate to have worked for Purdue Athletics alongside some true Boilermaker legends: great people like George King, Dale Samuels, Bob DeMoss, Leroy Keyes and Gene Keady," Simmerman said. "Equally importantly, however, I was fortunate to work under former athletics director Morgan Burke during an unprecedented period of athletics facility reform and with a fantastic group of administrators and clerical and service staff, all dedicated to the cause of supporting our student-athletes and enabling players and coaches to perform at their highest level and make Purdue proud.
"I extend my thanks to everyone across the university who was a part of those projects and supported our efforts for new construction, upgrades and improvements. My career and work here has been very gratifying, and I have acquired many lifelong friends, but I'm excited now about my upcoming retirement and the ability to spend more time with family and friends."
Over the course of his career, Simmerman has managed event management, new construction, remodeling, renovation and maintenance. He has been instrumental in the development and improvement of myriad facilities, including Ross-Ade Stadium, Mackey Arena, Alexander Field, Bittinger Stadium, Folk Field, Holloway Gymnasium, Lambert Track & Field Complex, Mollenkopf Athletic Center and the Football Performance Complex.
"Steve has been a significant influence and a driving force in the development and improvement of many of our terrific facilities, and his expertise will certainly be missed," Purdue vice president and athletics director Mike Bobinski said.
Away from Purdue, Simmerman served two four-year terms (2008-11 and 2012-15) on the Indiana State Fair Board of Directors, which is comprised of 17 members (some elected and some appointed by the governor) from across the state. He had two, two-year terms as board president (2011-12 and 2013-14).
A native of Delphi, Indiana, Simmerman graduated from Purdue with a bachelor's degree in supervision/personnel administration in 1975. He then went on to work for Lox Equipment Co., a pressure vessel manufacturer in Delphi for seven years. He spent one year in Lebanon, Indiana, as operations manager for an industrial fastener distributor. Simmerman also served in the National Guard from 1971 to 1977. He earned a master's degree in industrial technology from Purdue in 1992.
Simmerman and his wife, Tracey, have two sons, Jared and Craig.
Simmerman has worked for Purdue Athletics for 34 years, beginning in 1983 as assistant superintendent of Ross-Ade Stadium. He was promoted to superintendent in 1989 and subsequently to facilities operations director in 1996, assistant athletics director in 2003, associate athletics director in 2010 and senior associate athletics director in 2014.
"I consider myself extremely fortunate to have worked for Purdue Athletics alongside some true Boilermaker legends: great people like George King, Dale Samuels, Bob DeMoss, Leroy Keyes and Gene Keady," Simmerman said. "Equally importantly, however, I was fortunate to work under former athletics director Morgan Burke during an unprecedented period of athletics facility reform and with a fantastic group of administrators and clerical and service staff, all dedicated to the cause of supporting our student-athletes and enabling players and coaches to perform at their highest level and make Purdue proud.
"I extend my thanks to everyone across the university who was a part of those projects and supported our efforts for new construction, upgrades and improvements. My career and work here has been very gratifying, and I have acquired many lifelong friends, but I'm excited now about my upcoming retirement and the ability to spend more time with family and friends."
Over the course of his career, Simmerman has managed event management, new construction, remodeling, renovation and maintenance. He has been instrumental in the development and improvement of myriad facilities, including Ross-Ade Stadium, Mackey Arena, Alexander Field, Bittinger Stadium, Folk Field, Holloway Gymnasium, Lambert Track & Field Complex, Mollenkopf Athletic Center and the Football Performance Complex.
"Steve has been a significant influence and a driving force in the development and improvement of many of our terrific facilities, and his expertise will certainly be missed," Purdue vice president and athletics director Mike Bobinski said.
Away from Purdue, Simmerman served two four-year terms (2008-11 and 2012-15) on the Indiana State Fair Board of Directors, which is comprised of 17 members (some elected and some appointed by the governor) from across the state. He had two, two-year terms as board president (2011-12 and 2013-14).
A native of Delphi, Indiana, Simmerman graduated from Purdue with a bachelor's degree in supervision/personnel administration in 1975. He then went on to work for Lox Equipment Co., a pressure vessel manufacturer in Delphi for seven years. He spent one year in Lebanon, Indiana, as operations manager for an industrial fastener distributor. Simmerman also served in the National Guard from 1971 to 1977. He earned a master's degree in industrial technology from Purdue in 1992.
Simmerman and his wife, Tracey, have two sons, Jared and Craig.