Dave Sime, World's Fastest Sprinter From Fair Lawn, Will Be Inducted Into NJSIAA Hall Of Fame

FAIR LAWN, N.J. —The late Dr. Dave Sime, who was considered the world's fastest sprinter and a silver-medal winner in the 100-meter dash at the 1960 Olympic Games, will be induced into the NJSIAA Gallagher Bollinger Inc. Hall of Fame, the association announced Wednesday.

While at Fair Lawn High School Sime earned all-state awards in both football and baseball. He batted .525 his senior year and earned a baseball scholarship to Duke University.

It was at Duke Sime became known as world-class sprinter. He set nine world track and field records while at Duke. In the 1950s, many experts considered him to be the world's fastest sprinter. In 1960s, he missed out on the gold medal in Rome by a mere three feet. The 4-by-100 meter relay team he was on came in first place in the event's final race, but the team was disqualified when one of his teammates, Ray Norton, committed an error.

"I was very, very disappointed," Sime said in an interview.

Sime became one of the most successful ophthalmologists in the United States. He died Jan. 12 in Florida. He was 79. He was previously inducted into the Fair Lawn High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

The hall of fame receives nominations from high schools across the state. A selection committee makes the final decision regarding who is inducted. Al Leiter, a two-time Major League Baseball all-star and three-time World Series champion will also be inducted.

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