Howard Simpson inducted into Iowa High School Officials
Hall of Fame

March 18– March 20, 2005 --It began with a phone call in December. "This is your Dad. I've been selected to be inducted into the Iowa High School Officials Hall of Fame." So began a journey that culminated on March 18, 2005. They came from the Midwest and Southwest to support a man so deserving of an award that only the best are selected to receive.

After scouring the Internet for good flight deals, I made my choice to fly through Minneapolis to Des Moines, where the ceremony was to be held at "The Barn", otherwise known as Veterans Auditorium. The fateful day arrived and the Simpsons streamed into Des Moines for the festivities. I nearly missed the entire weekend as Mother Nature decided to lay one on Minneapolis and it was snowing like crazy when my flight landed. After narrowly missing my connection, we nearly got grounded. Fortunately, they let the few flights out on the tarmac, including mine, take off before canceling 260 flights out of and into Minneapolis. Heart-stopping to say the least and when we landed, I had never been so happy to see the Des Moines airport!

After a personal pick-up at the airport by the awardee himself, we whisked over to the Heartland Inn where most of the family was gathered. Dad had the foresight to reserve a block of rooms for all of us and we were on the more than a little noisy side! I feel bad for those who weren't part of the party, because they became a part whether they wanted to or not! Much guffawing and cackling could be heard from one end of the floor to the other as we got caught up on current family events and started reminiscing about the old ones! It was a lot of the same stories told over and over as we reveled in just being together again.

In the meantime, Mom and Dad, showered and powdered up in their finery—Dad looking dapper in a tan jacket, brown dress pants and tie. Mom turned it up a notch, wearing a black tweed suit with leather trim—very nice! They headed off to the auditorium as they had to be there early for a meeting with all the inductees. The rest of us stayed back at the hotel, just to make sure nothing alcoholic got too warm in the coolers!

Around 7:30 p.m. when everyone had arrived at the hotel, we all gathered up in the parking lot and formed a caravan to head to the auditorium. Earlier in the day, Dad had driven Abe around Des Moines to explain how to get to The Barn from the hotel, so it was decided that Abe (a Phoenician) would lead all the Iowa people! On the way, we needed to stop at a Subway to pick up a tray of sandwiches for our "party" after the awards ceremony. That's when things became interesting! I credit Abe with having quick reflexes as we immediately lost our primary leader, Terry (Patty's husband), on the way to Subway. We went from the right-hand lane to making a quick left turn into the Subway parking lot, as none of us knew where the Subway was except for the people riding in Terry's car. From Subway it became even more confusing, as after we finally made it to the auditorium, we discovered a jumbled parking nightmare and needless to say we all got separated and eventually ended up parking in different locations!

We walked through the freezing cold, jackets up around our ears and into the warmth and familiarity of the auditorium. All of us kids had at one time or another been there for at least one school athletic function. We headed to our seats and found Mom and Dad waiting there. I have never seen my Dad so nervous yet excited at the same time. Dad informed us that we kids could go down on the floor during the ceremony to take pictures. So about 30 minutes after arriving, we went down to find a good spot. Unfortunately, we discovered much too late that we were on the wrong side of the floor and the presenter would have his back to us. But really all I wanted to capture was the entire moment. I can't explain the feeling of pride I felt when Dad received his Induction award and have struggled to find words to define what I felt at the moment and still feel today. The gentleman that presented the award to Dad went out of his way to make sure he was the one to hand it to him. His name is Mike Billings, and he is the Chairperson of the Control Board of the Iowa High School Athletic Association. After planting a kiss on Mom, Dad sauntered off the floor and we all left the auditorium together.

Back at the hotel, the revelry began anew. Kim, Patty and I presented Dad with some gifts to commemorate the day—a shadowbox, a storybook and a marble plaque (see photos). I headed to bed early since I had been up that morning at 2:30 a.m. to make a 6:45 a.m. flight, but most of the family stayed up till the wee hours!

It was a wonderful weekend and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of my siblings, most of my aunts and uncles, a few cousins, and a niece and nephew, too! Dad and Mom have much to be proud of and it is true that hindsight is 20/20. I didn't fully comprehend the magnitude of my father's athletic passion until he received this award. Only through reading the multitude of articles and looking at his life as a whole was I able to appreciate what has driven --what continues to drive him -- every day. My father is passionate, honorable and generous. My mother is empathetic, thoughtful and giving. They are a great team that has weathered many storms and I envy their soon-to-be 45 years of marriage.

Congratulations, Dad! Good guys do finish first!