David Shimshock

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I grew up in Baltimore in the 60s, while the Orioles and Colts were in their heyday.  My dad, Matt Shimshock Jr, was the reason for my interest in sports and fostered that interest throughout his life.  He was the most influential person in my life, still is. He was always there. He was my coach. That dedication to me during those years, stayed with me and I mirrored his efforts with my son, Matt. My football career began in 1970 in Arbutus, Maryland. Later that year, we moved to my parents’ hometown of Plains. In 1971, I joined the Plains Yankees junior football team. Those 5 years with the Yankees and a year playing at the junior high level, taught me that hard work, dedication and accepting responsibility were paramount to being successful, not just in sports but in life.  Playing at Coughlin exposed me to 3 coaches who would have a lasting impact on my life, JP Meck, John Joseph and Ted Jackson. 1979. Our team went 11-0 during the regular season, giving up only 21 points during that season, including 8 shutouts in a row.  Offensively, we scored over 350 points. Personally, 1979 was what every kid hopes for. I ran for over 2,000 yards, scored 34 TDs, leading the league and the state in both, eclipsing Mickey Dudish’s single season WVC TD record. I was voted MVP of the league in all local newpapers, was named 1^st team All State, All-American, played in the Big 33 game and gained a football scholarship to Holy Cross. All of which would have never happened if it weren’t for my teammates and coaches.  My 4 years at Holy Cross were what my dad said they would be, the best 4 years of my life. Not just football. The friendships and relationships that I would make and continue to have 40 years after graduating have been life changing. My freshman year in college football humbled me as I learned quickly that I wasn’t going to be the focal point of the offense.  I would have to change my definition of success. I did have SOME success, however.  In my freshman year, I was voted MVP of the Homecoming game vs Dartmouth.  In my sophomore year, I had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games versus Army and Columbia. The first time in 8 years at HC that had happened. After the season, I was moved to strong safety on defense to make room for a RB transfer.  I looked at it positively as motivation and welcomed it. After spring practice, I was named the starter and remained there for my junior and senior seasons totaling 9 interceptions during those 2 years and the only time I wasn’t on the field was when we had the ball.  I graduated from Holy Cross with a degree in History and I am currently a Senior Wealth Advisor at Wilmington Trust in Wilkes-Barre, working with high net worth and highly successful individuals, business owners and institutions.  And the lessons that I learned from football, stay with me.  Dedication, hard work, persistence and the willingness to get back up after you’ve been knocked down all transferred over to my post football days.  I would like to thank the HOF committee for this great honor and congratulate my fellow inductees. I would also like to thank my family who are here tonight, my wife of 38 years, Lisa, my daughter, Jade, son, Matt and his wife, Heidi for making the trip from Boston and Chicago, respectively, to share this moment with me.