Sims has change of heart, will remain Middleton's A.D.
Unfinished business.
Change of heart.
Those were the terms Jamie Sims used most often when discussing why he would be staying on as the athletic director at Middleton High School.
Sims accepted the principal job at Sun Prairie High West High School in February. But in late March, Sims went to Middleton superintendent Dana Monogue and principal Peg Shoemaker and told them both he’d like to remain in his current role.
All parties quickly agreed that Sims staying on was best for the district.
“I have 100% peace of mind,” Sims said. “And what’s been great is 100% of the coaches, 100% of the community members that I’ve heard from have told me they’re happy I’m staying.
“There was a lot of work we had started here that we just weren’t done with. I just didn't have the peace of mind to leave right now. It was not the right time for my tenure to come to an end.”
Monogue was asked if Sims was offered more money or the promise of a promotion down the line and she refused comment. Instead, Monogue issued the following statement.
“We are very pleased that Jamie has decided to stay,” Monogue said. “He has done great work over the past two years and I know he will continue to put students first and strengthen and expand our already robust extracurricular offerings. Jamie is an exceptionally hard worker who has a passion for student success that is unparalleled.”
Sims was named Middleton’s athletic director in June, 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership during that time was vital in helping the Cardinals eventually get back to the fields, hardwood and diamonds.
Although the 2020 fall sports seasons were delayed, Sims helped those teams eventually play in the spring of 2021. Sims ensured that the 2020-21 winter sports teams had a season, even though it was shortened. And he helped the 2021 spring sports teams play a full schedule, even though it was bumped back on the calendar.
In the past year alone, Middleton has won:
• the 2020 alternate fall girls state cross country championship
• the 2020 alternate fall girls golf state championship
• the 2020 alternate fall girls golf state championship
• the 2021 girls state cross country title
The Cardinals have been second at:
• the 2020 alternate fall girls state swimming meet
• the 2020 alternate fall boys state volleyball championship
• the 2021 girls state golf championship
Middleton was also third at the 2021 boys state golf championship and lost in the state semifinals at the 2021 boys and girls state tennis meets.
In addition, Sims wants to continue enhancing the sports programs at the middle school and lower grade levels. And he wants to see continued strides with race and equity programs he’s been part of.
“I started thinking more and more about my legacy and what I want it to be,” Sims said. “And even though I helped the school transition through a tough time (COVID), my chapter wasn’t finished. The leadership and growth we’ve started, I want to make sure that continues.”
Sims said the folks at Sun Prairie West were, “not angry, but upset.” And he said he regrets not thinking everything through before accepting the Sun Prairie position.
“I should have thought it through more, but I’m not perfect. Far from it,” Sims said. “I’ll admit it, I made a mistake. But the more and more I thought about things, Middleton is where I needed to be.”
With his future now settled, Sims said he was excited to get back to the business of sports.
“The last few weeks have been an ordeal,” he said. “But once again, I have total peace of mind now. I’m extremely happy and fortunate to remain in the district.”
Sims also announced that Brad Crandell was hired on an interim basis to be Middleton’s assistant athletic director and student activities coordinator. Crandell took over for Ben White, who stepped down in February to work for the American Cancer Society.
Crandell’s contract runs through the end of the school year, but Sims hopes he eventually has the “interim” tag removed.
“We work really, really well together,” Sims said of Crandell. “So hopefully that becomes a permanent hire.”
