MEN'S BASKETBALL: 1st Annual Walt Simon Memorial Basketball Classic

The stage is set for the new-look Hornets who will be hosting the 1st Annual Walt Simon Memorial Basketball Classic November 8-10.

The FC staff is very excited for this new tournament as it will honor Hornet great Walt Simon, who played and worked as an assistant coach at Fullerton College.

"We are very much looking forward to hosting the Fullerton Classic, with this year's tribute to Walt Simon. Walt and his family have meant a lot to Fullerton College basketball as well as basketball in all of Orange County. This is a great opportunity for us to honor the life and career of a Hornet Legend", Fullerton College Head Basketball Coach Perry Webster.

This tournament will showcase six top-tier teams that have some of the best talent in the state. Broken up into two pools, Pool A will feature Saddleback, West Hills, and Fullerton. Pool B will consist of Citrus, San Diego City, and San Diego Mesa.

The Round-Robin style tournament will begin on Thursday November 8th with the games running at 3:00 pm (Saddleback vs. Citrus), 5:00 pm (West Hills vs. San Diego City), and 7:00 pm (Fullerton vs. San Diego Mesa). Before the Fullerton / Mesa game, Walt Simon will be honored. Representing the Simon family will be Walt's son Miles. Miles Simon is the 1997 NCAA Final Four MVP that helped his University of Arizona team to the National Title. Simon worked as an assistant coach at Arizona under legendary coach Lute Olson and is currently working as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. 

"Miles impact on Orange County basketball has impacted myself and many others in the area. His success as a player and coach has been outstanding. But, most of all his high character and commitment to helping dozens and dozens of student-athletes in and around Orange County has been tremendous. We are excited to have Miles as a part of this ceremony, and also appreciate the rest of the Simon family and friends for their attendance", said Webster.

Ticket Prices
Adults- $8.00 (10 & Up)

FC Students - Free (Must have current ID W/ ASB sticker) Visiting Team Students - $5.00 (Must have current ID W/ ASB sticker) Children Under 10 - FREE Senior Citizens - $6.00 (62 & Over) Tickets will be sold at the gate - no pre-sale tickets are available.

Click here to view the bracket.

About Walt Simon
Hornet basketball star Walt Simon is one of the most prolific scorers to ever come out of Fullerton College. Playing in the 1964-65 and 1965-66 seasons, Simon not only led the Hornet team in scoring (893 points in 64-65 and 815 points in 65-66), but also holds the two-year scoring state record (1708 total points in 63 games). Simon was named State Player of the year for both of those seasons as well.

After his playing days at Fullerton College ended, Simon received a full basketball scholarship to the University of Utah where he averaged 15 points a game and was voted first team All-League. He was also voted Best Defensive Player in the conference his senior year.

In 1968 Simon was drafted by the Seattle Sonics of the NBA and the Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association. His professional experiences include playing with and against many professional basketball players in the United States and in Europe.

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 working with both the men and women's Vanguard basketball programs.

Click here to view the bracket.

About Walt Simon
Hornet basketball star Walt Simon is one of the most prolific scorers to ever come out of Fullerton College. Playing in the 1964-65 and 1965-66 seasons, Simon not only led the Hornet team in scoring (893 points in 64-65 and 815 points in 65-66), but also holds the two-year scoring state record (1708 total points in 63 games). Simon was named State Player of the year for both of those seasons as well.

After his playing days at Fullerton College ended, Simon received a full basketball scholarship to the University of Utah where he averaged 15 points a game and was voted first team All-League. He was also voted Best Defensive Player in the conference his senior year.

In 1968 Simon was drafted by the Seattle Sonics of the NBA and the Denver Rockets of the American Basketball Association. His professional experiences include playing with and against many professional basketball players in the United States and in Europe.

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 working with both the men and women's Vanguard basketball programs.

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