Chris Sims '25, Economics

"I was just sitting around with my friends, and they were like, 'What are you going to do?' And I was like, 'I think I'm gonna go to Bucknell.' It hit me then — this is a dream becoming a reality."

For Chris Sims '25, the concept of free time is almost mythical. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

The economics major and two-sport Division I athlete (football and track and field) maneuvers through his day with precision, ensuring that each block of time is meaningful.

"Student-athletes sometimes don't get enough credit for what they do," Sims says. "A lot of people will get done with class at 2 p.m. and have the rest of the day to study or do what they need to do. But for athletes, it's different. I have practice for three hours, then I've got to stretch and focus on recovery, eat dinner and still do homework. There's a lot that goes into it."

Bucknell cornerback Chris Sims '25 spends his summer intensifying his training, focused on building lean muscle in preparation for the upcoming football season. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications

That's not to say a jam-packed schedule is the only path at Bucknell. It's just that, at a university that offers multiple choices, Sims prefers "all of the above."

And besides, there's a practical reason behind this careful planning. "If I have to lift at 6 a.m., I don't want to be up until 1 a.m. finishing my schoolwork," he says. "During the day, I'm always focused on what I could be doing to make sure I'm productive.' "

Sims, who excelled academically while juggling three sports in high school, says Bucknell stood out not just because coaches wanted him to play both football and track. It was the University's academic flexibility and strong reputation that sealed it.

"The College of Arts & Sciences really stuck out to me," he says. "With so many majors, I knew I could go in whatever direction I wanted to go."

Sims didn't need long to arrive at his ah-ha moment. After entering Bucknell undeclared, Sims walked into economics 101. "It was the very first day of classes, my very first class," he says. "I walked in, and I was so intrigued by what was going on. The professor later reached out to me and said, 'You seem really interested in this material. You should consider majoring in this.' "

He did, but he didn't want to stop exploring. Following some urging from his mom, a teacher in Philadelphia, Sims eventually added an education minor. "In my education classes, I was like, 'These are topics and discussions I can relate to,' "he says. "This is definitely something I want to explore more and add to my education."

As he learned career-defining practical skills within his classes, Sims was amassing what a football coach might call "intangibles" — skills more likely to be acquired through experience than taught.

Skills like problem solving, organization and being that guy everyone wants on their team for group projects. "I think people would say that I'm an approachable guy," he says. "Someone who is open to learning, available to listen and a critical thinker, always looking to solve problems."

And someone not afraid to ask for help.

Chris Sims '25's personal best in the triple jump is 47 feet, 1 inch. Photo by Emily Paine, Marketing & Communications

"Professor Amy Wolaver, my econ professor in my first class, helped me out so much," he says. "I remember being on Zoom calls with her getting extra help and picking her brain about economics."

And when you put in that kind of work, doors open — even when you least expect them.

Sims was at a Philadelphia Phillies game with his older brother (Micah '20) when they ran into Michael Shover '05, a Bucknell football alum who worked for CBRE, a real estate services firm in Philadelphia.

This chance encounter led to a conversation that started about football and eventually became an offer for a 2023 summer internship with CBRE, which Sims took. "Just listening and learning from somebody is such a good skill to have," Sims says. "Bucknell taught me that."

Then, in summer 2024, Sims interned with the Philadelphia Flyers. As a grassroots marketing associate, he helped organize events around the Philadelphia area to engage and recruit new fans. "Being able to work at the Wells Fargo Center, where I grew up going to games all the time, was amazing," he says. "I hope this is just the beginning of my future career in working in sports."

As Sims enters his senior year, he knows his time under the lights of Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium will provide cherished memories. But he understands it's the people he met at Bucknell — not his athletic achievements — that will be his legacy.

"Five years down the road, no one cares if you made a big play against Holy Cross or another Patriot League school," he says. "They care about how you treated them, and how you made them feel."