Bucknell University Athletics
Michelle Simons Named Bison Assistant Women's Basketball Coach
8/12/2002 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Aug. 12, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Michelle Simons, an assistant coach at Division II East Stroudsburg University for the past eight years, joins the Bucknell women's basketball coaching staff as an assistant to the Bison. "I am so excited to welcome Michelle to the Bison family and Bucknell community," said head coach Kathy Fedorjaka. "I've known Michelle for about eight years now and I looking forward to the positives she will bring to our program."
A 1993 graduate of Bloomsburg University with a bachelor of science in adult health and fitness/exercise science, Simons has served as an assistant coach a East Stroudsburg University since 1994. While with the Warriors, she was the team recruiting coordinator as well as the travel coordinator. A certified member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association, Simons planned and organized the squad's strength and conditioning program.
From March to July of 2001, Simons served as the interim head coach of the Warrior team, finalizing recruiting and a game schedule for the 2001-02 season, in addition to instructing spring individual workouts for both post and perimeter players, and assisting in fundraising and community service projects.
Prior to her time at ESU, Simons spent two years (1992-94) at her alma mater as a graduate assistant. While in that role, she planned and supervised all aspects of conditioning and weight training. In addition, Simons assisted with game management, athletic training and weight room supervision.
In her final season as a graduate assistant with the Huskies, Simons served as the head girl's basketball coach of the Central Columbia high school seventh grade team. While at the helm, she led her young squad to an undefeated season (14-0), while developing and implementing all practice and game plans.
In addition to her coaching experience, Simons was an active member of the Bloomsburg women's basketball team. A four-year all-conference player, she was tabbed the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year in 1988-89 and finished her outstanding career with the PSAC Player of the Year award her senior season. Simons was also named the ECAC Division II Player of the Year, and earned Kodak Women's All-America honors that same year. She continued her playing career in the Women's National Basketball League from 1999-2001, and this past year, was an active participant in the Women's American Basketball Association.
"Michelle is an experienced coach who will bring great energy and enthusiasm to our program," said Fedorjaka. "She compliments the entire staff well and her local connections will be a positive in both the recruiting area as well as camps. She understands my philosophy and my system and really fits well into that system."
At Bucknell, Simons' responsibilities will include full involvement in scouting upcoming opponents and recruiting prospective student-athletes. In addition, she will be primarily responsible for guard player development, while assisting in the day-to-day practice regimens. Simons will also serve as the women's basketball team's travel coordinator and the contact for Bucknell's camps and clinics.
Bucknell has ranked among the nation's leaders in the graduation rate of its student-athletes in recent years, including best-in-the-nation accolades in 1992, 1993 and 1996. During the 2001-02 academic year, Bison student-athletes were awarded five of the 22 Patriot League Scholar-Athlete citations. Bucknell also claimed a league-high 277 members of the 2001-02 Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, which honors student-athletes who achieve a 3.20 grade-point average during the semester coinciding with his/her sport.
