NEW ORLEANS – Former University of New Orleans student-athlete Melvin Simon is one of the standouts from the storied history of the University's athletic department.
While many of his accomplishments as student-athlete are recognizable by those who have long supported the program, this week Simon obtained a goal that went without much fanfare – he completed work towards an undergraduate degree.
Expected to walk across the Lakefront Arena stage this December as the University does not hold a summer graduation, Simon will graduate with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
When Simon does make that walk, it will occur in a building that he made his own under legendary head coach Tim Floyd.
Floyd considered the native of Harvey, La. to be one of his most important recruits, according to former UNO sports information director Ed Cassiere, now at Xavier.
“Tim was extremely interested in signing a heralded local player like Melvin as a springboard to future recruiting victories in New Orleans,” said Cassiere. “Melvin excelled for four seasons and helped UNO win a bunch of games and reach the NCAA Tournament twice. “
Twice named to the All-Sun Belt Conference squad, Simon's career totals place him second all-time in school history in rebounds (941) and fifth in points (1,507).
Both marks were accomplished during a career that spanned 119 games between 1990 and 1994 that in addition to the NCAA tournament berths, included an NIT appearance.
The 1992-93 team that Simon was a part of was one of the best in the program's rich history.
“Melvin played a key role on the best basketball team I ever publicized, the 1992-93 team that went 18-0 in the Sun Belt regular season,” said Cassiere. “And as a freshman two years earlier, he helped UNO lead the nation in rebound margin.”
“Melvin was probably overshadowed at times by Ervin Johnson's rags-to-riches ascent, but there's no doubt in my mind that Melvin is among UNO's all-time greats because of his scoring and rebounding numbers.”
Following the end of his collegiate career, Simon hit the road for a professional career that lasted 16 years.
Professional basketball took Simon around the globe, including stints in Spain, France, the Philippines, Iran, Israel, Cyprus, Slovakia, Venezuela, Argentina and Uruguay. Between seasons across the Atlantic, Simon often returned to Puerto Rico, a country he played in for 11 seasons.
After his career concluded, Simon returned home to the United States without a direction.
No matter which way he went, it would be difficult to move forward as one of the most heralded players in school history lacked an undergraduate degree.
Earning his degree was a goal that Simon set into motion in 2007 with former Privateer assistant and current Loyola head coach Mike Giorlando.
“When my mother, Coach Giorlando and I talked at Loyola about going for my degree in 2007, I was still playing,” said Simon. “It would not be until I retired a few years later that I would finally take the bull by the horns.”
Though obtaining a degree was a goal of his, Simon lacked a career ambition to drive him towards the finish line. That was until he volunteered as an assistant at Karr in 2009 for the school's girls' basketball team that included his niece.
The one year as an assistant laid the foundation for Simon, who now yearned to be a head coach at the high school level.
The path to a head coach position officially kicked off during the spring 2010 semester when the 6-8 Simon returned to the classroom.
“(UNO Associate Director of Interdisciplinary Studies) Dan Harper was instrumental in guiding me through the curriculum and the professors were very understanding and patient with me,” said Simon. I had not been to school in nearly 20 years so they helped me out.”
The help, hard work and persistence paid off as Simon completed the requirements to fulfill his undergraduate degree this past week.
An assistant at John Ehret during the 2010-11 campaign, the former Privateer will take to the sidelines this fall as a head coach at Archbishop Shaw. The position at his alma mater came with the recommendation of Floyd, who required a degree of his former standout before lending a hand.
“Coach Floyd and I talk all the time,” said Simon. “He would not recommend me for a job unless I had a degree since he is a stickler on that type of thing and he was a big encouragement.”
Now rooted in a position in which he can give advice to young players, Simon reiterates the need to complete one's degree.
“Even if you get a chance to go overseas or play professional, it important that you go back to get your degree,” said Simon.
Simon should know. He did.
