The Simpson College baseball and softball teams are wearing bowtie batting helmet stickers to honor former school president Jay Byers who passed away unexpectedly on April 17th.

Byers was a 1993 Simpson graduate who spent years as the CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership before coming back to his alma mater and was rarely seen without a bowtie. Simpson baseball coach Nathan Roling said he felt it was right for his team to carry Byers with them to honor his legacy.

“Jay Byers was Simpson’s number one cheerleader. He was at our games. Guys would see him at our games. He has been in our dugout talking to our guys before games. When he passed we had an opportunity along with softball to be the first events going on on campus on that Saturday. We just felt right that we carry him with us, that we honor everything he believed in, everything he lived out, and our guys are proud to wear the bowtie. It’s kind of cool, and it’s unique, and it’s so Jay.”

A celebration of life was held for Byers last Friday. The Simpson baseball team will be at home for a three game series against University of Dubuque starting on Friday while the softball team will end their regular season at Cornell College on Sunday.