The Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana has adopted a resolution expressing deep condolences on the passing of James W. Simmons Jr., a revered coach, athletic director, educator, and mentor who dedicated over fifty years to high school athletics and youth development in the Acadiana region. Simmons, who passed away on May 11, 2025, at the age of seventy-seven, was a beloved figure known for his commitment to shaping young lives through sports. He began his career as a teacher and coach at Crowley High School in 1970 and later became the first Black Athletic Director of the Lafayette Parish School System, where he served for twenty-three years, advocating for equity and access in student athletics.

Throughout his career, Coach Simmons earned respect and admiration for his leadership in various sports, particularly track and field, and was recognized with numerous accolades, including inductions into the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame. His legacy is marked by his dedication to mentoring students and fellow coaches, pioneering reforms in youth sports safety, and his unwavering professionalism. The resolution honors his significant contributions to education and athletics, while offering condolences to his family and the community that mourns his loss.