Hi, my name is Dave Simon, and I was raised in the Galesburg-Augusta Mi. area.   Many of you may know me from my days attending the Galesburg-Augusta school system. I probably carried your mother's groceries out at Mollet's Market while I was working there through high school.

I graduated with the G-A Class of 1971.

I played football for four years, proudly wearing #65, and was part of the 1970 Class C State Championship team — still the last football state title in G-A history. I also wrestled for four years at 185 lbs/Heavyweight. I am honored to be inducted twice into the G-A Hall of Fame.

Sports and G-A tradition run deep in my family. My father, Jim (’44), was a halfback and football captain. My sister, Koni (’65), started the Grapplets cheer squad for wrestling. My brother, Ken (’74), placed 6th at the state wrestling finals and co-founded one of the very first youth wrestling programs in the United States. My brother, Dan (’77), was part of the 9–1 football team of 1976 — every member later a Hall of Fame inductee. Dan also coached junior high wrestling during Jim Sullivan’s era, helping guide future champions, including 1999 state champion Jared Buchino.

After high school, I spent 30 years in the restaurant business and another 30 years in the music industry. Wherever life has taken me, I’ve always carried the lessons of family, teamwork, and Ram pride from my Galesburg roots.