Eastern Michigan Athletics
Celebration of Life for EMU Hall of Famer and Basketball Pioneer Doc Sims Set for Oct. 10
10/6/2026 10:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball, E-Club
Event to take place at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Detroit
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - A Celebration of Life for Eastern Michigan University E-Club Athletic Hall of Famer Robert "Doc" Sims will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Detroit. The service will honor a life dedicated to athletics, medicine, mentorship, and creating opportunities for young people.
The Celebration of Life will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 13110 14th Street, Detroit, MI 48238. Sims passed away July 17 at age 97.
Sims' influence reached far beyond Eastern Michigan University. A pioneering student-athlete, distinguished physician, military officer, accomplished golfer, and devoted mentor, Sims spent his life helping others pursue opportunities and achieve their goals.
Sims attended what was then-Michigan State Normal College from 1949-52, starring in basketball and track. He earned varsity letters in both sports and emerged as one of the school's top basketball performers. He graduated from Eastern in 1952 before earning a master's degree in physical therapy from New York University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa.
Sims is believed to have broken the color barrier in EMU men's basketball, helping open the door for generations of student-athletes. His commitment to mentorship continued throughout his life. Among those he encouraged was NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin, whom Sims urged to attend Eastern Michigan. In fact Doc is featured in the documentary about Gervin providing insight into their impactful over 60 year relationship.
His career in medicine and military service was equally distinguished. Sims served as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps, received the Augustus Calloway Award from Southwest Detroit Hospital, and was named Eastern Michigan University's Most Distinguished Alumnus in 1993. He was inducted into the EMU E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
Sims also was a longtime advocate for opportunity in his Detroit community. Alongside EMU legend and Olympic gold medalist Hayes Jones, he helped fund the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on Eastern's campus. In 2019 he continued to support EMU as a original board member of GameAbove, a philanthropic organization that bolsters EMU's growth, including the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, the Golf Performance Center, the George Gervin GameAbove Center, statue honoring George Gervin and other endeavors.
A longtime member of the Detroit Golf Club, Sims won the Michigan Senior Amateur Championship in 1987 and worked to expand opportunities for minority golfers. He also was an early supporter and mentor of Tiger Woods during Woods' youth.
Sims' legacy of mentorship and opportunity will continue through the Doc Sims Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship reflects his lifelong commitment to providing opportunities for minority youth.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to honor Sims' memory with a donation to the Doc Sims Legacy Scholarship.
Celebration of Life for Robert "Doc" Sims
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 - 1:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Baptist Church
13110 14th Street
Detroit, MI 48238
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) - A Celebration of Life for Eastern Michigan University E-Club Athletic Hall of Famer Robert "Doc" Sims will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Detroit. The service will honor a life dedicated to athletics, medicine, mentorship, and creating opportunities for young people.
The Celebration of Life will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 13110 14th Street, Detroit, MI 48238. Sims passed away July 17 at age 97.
Sims' influence reached far beyond Eastern Michigan University. A pioneering student-athlete, distinguished physician, military officer, accomplished golfer, and devoted mentor, Sims spent his life helping others pursue opportunities and achieve their goals.
Sims attended what was then-Michigan State Normal College from 1949-52, starring in basketball and track. He earned varsity letters in both sports and emerged as one of the school's top basketball performers. He graduated from Eastern in 1952 before earning a master's degree in physical therapy from New York University and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa.
Sims is believed to have broken the color barrier in EMU men's basketball, helping open the door for generations of student-athletes. His commitment to mentorship continued throughout his life. Among those he encouraged was NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin, whom Sims urged to attend Eastern Michigan. In fact Doc is featured in the documentary about Gervin providing insight into their impactful over 60 year relationship.
His career in medicine and military service was equally distinguished. Sims served as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve Medical Corps, received the Augustus Calloway Award from Southwest Detroit Hospital, and was named Eastern Michigan University's Most Distinguished Alumnus in 1993. He was inducted into the EMU E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
Sims also was a longtime advocate for opportunity in his Detroit community. Alongside EMU legend and Olympic gold medalist Hayes Jones, he helped fund the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on Eastern's campus. In 2019 he continued to support EMU as a original board member of GameAbove, a philanthropic organization that bolsters EMU's growth, including the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, the Golf Performance Center, the George Gervin GameAbove Center, statue honoring George Gervin and other endeavors.
A longtime member of the Detroit Golf Club, Sims won the Michigan Senior Amateur Championship in 1987 and worked to expand opportunities for minority golfers. He also was an early supporter and mentor of Tiger Woods during Woods' youth.
Sims' legacy of mentorship and opportunity will continue through the Doc Sims Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship reflects his lifelong commitment to providing opportunities for minority youth.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to honor Sims' memory with a donation to the Doc Sims Legacy Scholarship.
Celebration of Life for Robert "Doc" Sims
Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026 - 1:30 p.m.
Metropolitan Baptist Church
13110 14th Street
Detroit, MI 48238
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