Augustana University Athletics

Simko capped a distinguished four sport career by being chosen as a Little All-American following his senior season in 1960 and was given a try-out with an NFL pro team, and survived until the final cut. As a sophomore he was a 1st Team Williamson All-American and was the second leading pass receiver in the nation; as a junior he was on the 2nd Team Little All-American team.

He was all conference for three years in the NCC and was co-captain of his team his senior year. The Jim Luce to Simko pass-catch combination clicked a record 53 times during the 1960 season and, together, they were named South Dakota's athletes of that year.

John also was an outstanding high hurdler with the Viking track team and participated in basketball for four years-winning two varsity letters. He was regarded as Augustana's premier tennis player and once defeated a South Dakota State opponent while playing with a heavy cast on his leg due to torn ligaments in his ankle.