Spring football practice is just around the corner.

However, Heritage head coach Tim James already has a special request for the 2010 season.

The second-year Generals’ coach said he is working to memorialize former friend and booster club president, Jeff Sims, who died on March 5 while working on his family’s sod farm.

James said that Heritage High School would honor their fallen gridiron great by naming the field after Sims during the first home game next season.

James said the idea was something “everyone thought of at the same time.”

“I think it says a lot about the kind of man he was that so many people thought this was what we needed to do,” James said. “He was a fun guy. We’re gong to miss him a lot...We lost a good leader, a good booster club president and I lost a friend.”

According to Heritage Principal Ronnie Bradford, a petition started by students on Friday afternoon had approximately 150 signatures on it by Monday morning.

Bradford said he could not think of “anyone else who would want the recognition less and deserved it more.”

“His family has been a pillar of the community for a long time,” Bradford said. “Having his name on that field is very fitting.”

Sims was the husband of Bonnie Sims, P.E. Teacher at Heritage High School, the father of Luke Sims (10th grade), Madison Sims (8th grade) and Noah Sims (third grade at Boynton).

As a player, he was a star at Ringgold and went on to Carson-Newman where he was part of three national championship teams for the Eagles.

Sims was also named to the Carson-Newman All-Century team.

His son Luke will be the first among his family to play on Jeff Sims Field next year as a junior.

James said he was understandably “going through a real hard time right now.”

“I went through it with my dad (when he passed away),” James said. “We have to consul him and love him.”

Sims had a soft heart for those in need. Heritage booster club Vice President Charles Faulkner said Sims employed him recently and was a friend to his family.

Faulkner said he was doing everything he could “to see his dreams come true.”

“There was no one more dedicated to Heritage and Heritage football,” Faulkner said.

James said the Gridiron Club is starting a scholarship in honor of Sims. He said those who would like to contribute could do so at the school’s front office.

They can also mail checks to Heritage High School, 3960 Poplar Springs Road Ringgold, Ga. 30736, c/o Jeff Sims scholarship fund.

James said a golf tournament to help raise funds for the scholarship each year is also in the works.