Jake Simmons To Throw Out First Pitch at 8/30 Game

BUFFALO, NY (August 23, 2015) -- Buffalo 716ers star forward Jake Simmons will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Buffalo Bisons game on Sunday August 30th. The Bisons are facing the Scranton-Wilkes Barre Rail Riders at 1:05 pm at Coca-Cola Field in Downtown Buffalo.

Simmons graduated from Buffalo State College as the all-time scoring leader for the Bengals, with 2,079 points. Simmons averaged 19 points per game, collected a total of 349 rebounds, 234 steals, and 28 blocked shots for the Bengals. He is the first player in school history to score over 2,000 points.

Simmons basketball accomplishments almost didn’t happen. Growing up in Rochester, NY, he faced numerous challenges. His father was in prison, his mother was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, which is a debilitating, incurable disease, and he lived with both physical and verbal abuse from his step-father.

As a teenager he helped pull his mother out of their family home as it burned down. Then, in the days before his high school graduation he lost his mother to her disease. This began a period of darkness, leading up to a failed suicide attempt, as well as a serious car accident which left him paralyzed for 10 days.

It was during his rehabilitation that he rediscovered his love for basketball, and worked harder than ever to succeed.

Following graduation, simmons played professional basketball in Europe before making his debut for the Buffalo 716ers on January 17, 2015 against the Pee Dee Vipers.

Simmons doesn’t like to use his story as a crutch, or to gain attention. For him it has provided a personal drive to do the best he can. He hopes to become a motivational speaker to help other youth who may be going through dark times.

When asked about what it meant to be asked by the Bisons to throw out a ceremonial pitch this season, he said “I’m honored at this chance, and hope when kids see me they realize that with hard work they can accomplish anything,” said Simmons.