Wisconsin tabs former Badger standout, UW-Oshkosh leader to head W Club

MADISON - Former Wisconsin football standout and UW-Oshkosh athletics administrator Darryl Sims has been appointed as the director of the W Club, the university's official letterwinner organization, according to an Instagram announcement on September 24. The W Club offers resources and opportunities for alumni to remain connected to the Badgers.

Sims, who has been leading the athletic department at UW-Oshkosh since 2010, assumed the role of director after Chris Solinsky, who held the position for five months, moved on to direct track and field and cross country at Wisconsin. Solinsky succeeded the retiring Mick Byrne, who was the winningest coach in Big Ten men's cross country history.

Prior to his current position, Sims was a two-time all-Big Ten defensive end for Wisconsin during the 1980s. He was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played for both the Steelers and Cleveland Browns, appearing in 58 games. Sims joined UW-Oshkosh as a part-time assistant coach in 1998, and held various positions with the UW-Oshkosh Foundation and Oshkosh Sports Complex. He also coached with NFL Europe and completed internships with several NFL teams.

Sims replaces Solinsky, who is now the director of UW's track and field and cross country program.