English Philosopher George Moore was quoted “A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it.” Perhaps Moore was foreseeing the philosophy of the 2008-2009 EIU women's basketball team who won 20 straight games at home. Junior guard Dominique Sims sees Charleston as a second home, and her teammates a second family.
Sims describes her most rewarding experience of being a student-athlete at EIU as being able to meet great people and see new places. Being away from home does not matter as much to Sims as does the happiness of spending time with her teammates, where there is never a dull moment.
Whether it is on the court, on the road, or in the residence halls playing Guitar Hero and Rock Band (apparently junior forward Maggie Kloak is quite the singer) the EIU women's basketball team is always together. Family bond: something Sims was taught a long time ago by her parents, which she brought with her to Charleston.
Sims grew up in a military family, her father; Darrell Sims Sr. is a retired Air Force colonel whose occupation required Dominique, her brother Darrell Jr., and mother Marianne (who is originally from Germany) to move several times while Dominique was growing up. Despite the moves, they were always together and always had one another to rely on.
Sims is a Math major with a minor in German. Her postgraduate plans include a master's degree in international business and traveling the world. But first, Sims will return to the court next year for a very important senior leadership role with her Charleston family.
More with Dominique Sims
Q. What was behind your decision to attend Eastern Illinois?
A. Coach Brady (Sallee) wanted to make a difference in the program. I loved the girls; they are like a family away from home.
Q. What do you enjoy most about the Charleston/Mattoon community?
A. Volunteering at basketball clinics for kids, summer camps, and EIU camps.
Q. What does leadership mean to you?
A. I think to be a good leader you have to be able to take a situation, analyze it and make a smart decision while keeping an open mind. Good leaders turn negatives into positives.
Q. What is your most life-changing event?
A. It used to be hard for me to imagine life without basketball. When I was in high school I tore my ACL. I realized there is a life that doesn't involve sports.
Q. Who are your heroes in life?
A. Apparently I'm a daddy's girl; I listen to everything he says. I'm very proud of my mom as well. She is in school right now to become a nurse and has a 3.8 GPA. She is from Germany and has had to learn English on her own.
Q. Tell us something most people do not know about you.
A. When I was little I used to pretend to teach class, only my mom, dad, and brother know about it. I had a grade book and everything, it's pretty embarrassing.
