 After graduating from high school in 1913 Simpson entered the University of Missouri, where he was coached by Henry F. Schulte.Schulte introduced Simpson to hurdling in his freshman year, and the 120 yd (109.7 m) high hurdles and the 220 yd (201.2 m) low hurdles soon became his main events, though he continued to also compete as a sprinter and long jumper.Rather than relying on his sprinter's speed, Simpson became known for the efficient hurdling technique that he developed with Schulte, based on keeping his arms lined up with the track while jumping over a hurdle, as opposed to the sideways arm action of other hurdlers of the time.