PLNU Athletics

Point Loma women's assistant basketball coach Walt Simon went to be with the Lord on Saturday, Dec. 31. Simon, was in his first year with the Point Loma program but has a legacy in basketball that extends from player, to coach to mentor.
 
Simon began his outstanding basketball career at Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles where he received All-State and All-American honors. In 2014, he was inducted into the Rough Rider Hall of Fame. After high school, he went to Fullerton College where he was two-time JC State Player of the Year for the Hornets. He holds the two-year California Total State Scoring Record. Playing from 1964-66, Simon amassed 1,708 points in only 63 games – averaging over 27 points per night. After those two successful years at Fullerton, he earned a full scholarship to the University of Utah where he averaged 15 points per game and was an All-League player. In 1968, he was drafted into professional basketball by the Seattle Sonics of the NBA, and the Denver Rockets of the ABA.
 
Simon's coaching experiences include working with youth basketball, high school, junior college, NCAA Division I & II, and professionally in America and Europe. At the college level, he has worked for Fresno State, CSU Fullerton, Fullerton College, Concordia, and Point Loma and has also helped at Mater Dei High School and with AAU Basketball. In the mid 1970's, Simon was the head coach for a European professional team. In addition, he is the founder of Basic Basketball School where he and other instructors work to develop players' basketball skills and their knowledge of the game. Simon also had a run of 10 years with the Vanguard basketball program, the first seven as an assistant on the men's side, before switching over to the women's side.

"The PLNU women's basketball program is deeply saddened over the loss of coach Simon," said Point Loma head coach Lisa Faulkner. "I am forever grateful that Walt was apart of our program the last 6 months. He was a great friend and mentor to me and his belief in me as a coach will never be forgotten."
 
Walt leaves behind his wife Su Jin, his two children Charisse and Miles, and seven grandchildren.