FARMVILLE — Local sports supporter and enthusiast Walter “Shorty” Simms got paid a special visit recently by an old friend with a memorable connection.

Shorty, having supported the area's athletic teams since 1975, received a signed basketball from the Hampden-Sydney College 1977-1978 basketball team for his devotedness to cheering the guys on during the season. Philander Kelsey, better known as Phil, played on the H-SC basketball team from 1976-1979 as #31 and was a part of the team that gave the ball to Shorty.

Recently, Scott Simms, Shorty's brother, contacted Kelsey's mother and told her how Shorty would be moving soon to an assisted living facility and wanted to pass the ball down to one of his favorite H-SC players, Kelsey.

Kelsey made the trip back to Farmville to receive the ball and commented on the passage by saying, “Today is a very special day. It was a great honor to receive the ball.”

Many may also recognize Shorty from the documentary film 'Shorty' released in 2002 about his life at H-SC.