Brown Simpson Named To OTS Sports Wall Of Fame
Rock Hill, SC – Brown Simpson, whose voice has been heard on OTS stations on Friday nights during the fall for nearly two decades, will be honored as the lone inductee in the 13th class of the OTS Sports Wall of Fame. Simpson was elected by a 22-member panel made up of veteran OTS sportscasters and retired Wall of Fame members.
The Rock Hill native is a graduate of Rock Hill High and earned a degree in Sports Management at Winthrop University in 1988. As a youth, Brown enjoyed playing softball and basketball and ran cross-country while in high school and at the age of 16 earned his Eagle Scout Award. His passion for sports led him to the Rock Hill Area YMCA, where he was mentored by 2017 Wall of Fame honoree Moe Bell. Simpson’s leadership skills were quickly recognized and he became Director at Camp Cherokee in 1991. Seven years later, Brown helped grow the local YMCA affiliation beyond York County, when he was promoted to Director of the Chester County YMCA.
Simpson was hired as Director of the Fort Mill Parks & Recreation Department in 2004 and has helped expand the Town’s department through two decades of progressive growth. During this time, the department has doubled their facilities to ten traditional parks. The organization has also grown from a singular employee to 11 fulltime employees and serves over 5,000 youth and adult residents annually.
Brown has officiated over 1,100 high school softball, basketball and volleyball games since 1992 and has been Director of the Lancaster Softball District for over 23 years. Simpson previously refereed games for both City and YMCA leagues.
Brown’s outgoing personality and “gift of gab” were inspired by his dad when he was child. So it was no surprise in 2007, that he once again followed his passion, and auditioned as an OTS Sports Announcer. Since then, he has emerged as one of the network’s most popular and durable commentators. Simpson has broadcast over 208 football games and dozens of basketball games. Brown picks the 2010 South Carolina semi-finals as his most exciting and memorable broadcast ever. Fellow Wall of Fame inductee Chris Miller joined Simpson in calling the game and recalls the night for another reason. “I remember our pre-game meal at a local steakhouse in Goose Creek that had one other customer. I was impressed that Brown knew the person! I found out later that it happens every time and everywhere you go when traveling with Brown. He knows everyone!” Northwestern won the game 41-34.
Brown has served as Chair of Visit York County, Family Trust Federal Credit Union, York County Sports Hall of Fame Steering Committee and on the Boards of York County Council on Aging and York Electric Coop Operational Round-up. He has also served as an Oakdale Volunteer Fireman for 38 years. Brown’s family includes his wife Kim and daughters Allison Hannah and Margaret. Simpson is a lifetime member at Mount Holly United Methodist Church.
The OTS Sports Wall of Fame, established in 2010, has honored a total of 23 individuals. New inductees are elected annually and recognized for their dedication to sports and for their contributions to Broadcasting and the OTS family of stations. Previous inductees include Connie Morton, Harper Gault, Charles Kuralt and Haney Howell. Last season, Bill Beaty Jr and Mario Washington joined the elite group.
