Know Your Dons - Kalyn Simon - University of San Francisco Athletics

SAN FRANCISCO – In her final complete basketball game as a prep player, Kalyn Simon won a state title with girls basketball powerhouse Archbishop Mitty. The high school junior scored 16 points in the Monarch's victory on March 23, 2012. As a senior, Simon took to the court but once, playing one half before injury struck. Sidelined for her final season at Mitty, and sitting out her first year for the Dons, Simon's path back to the court was arduous.

But the dividends of hard work are paying off for one of a trio of team captains.

"My redshirt year allowed me to focus on my rehab while still being full incorporated into the team dynamic," notes Simon. "I was able to watch film, witness all my teammates develop, and grow stronger in the weight room. Last year, I still had to come back with rehab and get the flow of the game back so it took me a while, but coach as given me an opportunity this year so I've been doing my best to capitalize on it."

She played a role off the bench last season, and opened the 2015-16 campaign in the same fashion. In USF's 14th game of the year, in front of a crowd of 5,733 people at Gonzaga, Simon found herself in a new situation. Rather than checking in from the scorer's table, the redshirt sophomore heard her name called as a starter.

"The first time I was announced as a starter I was nervous, but I did not want to get caught up in starting versus coming off the bench," recalled Simon. "When you start, you have to be ready and locked into the game plan from tipoff. The first five on the court set the tone for the game and get into the flow of the game faster, but both coming off the bench and starting have challenging roles."

As one of the first five for the Dons, she has been firing away, and the defensive-minded Simon turned on her offensive prowess from beyond the arc. In USF's game at Pepperdine on Jan. 16, she finished the contest hitting 5-of-7 from downtown, leading the Dons to the win against the Waves with a new career-high of 18 points.

Whether starting or on the bench, locking down her man or swishing shots, Simon is at the ready to help her team in any way possible.

"As a captain I try to focus on leading by example," she said. "This year we have a team full of leaders so being captain is a great honor, but I honestly just try to be a good teammate and picking my teammates up when they are down."

"Know Your Dons" is an ongoing feature on USFDons.com designed to personalize the student-athletes of the University of San Francisco – meet No. 35, Kalyn Simon.

Student Life
Favorite spot on campus (other than athletic facility): Gleeson Plaza – the areas in front the library and behind Saint Ignatius Church.
Favorite class (why): History of African Music. It was interesting to learn history for a new perspective rather than the traditional methods of a textbook.
Hardest class: The Global Economy was my most challenging class so far because it challenged me to analyze international issues for all angles.
Favorite place to study on campus: The library. I really like working on the second floor in my personal desk because it is quiet and I can focus while listening to my music.
Balancing the demands of school and your sport: Basketball and school consume the majority of my time, but by setting proper priorities it is manageable. I think the most important part is keeping a balance in your life as to where neither basketball nor school over shines everything else.
The best thing about USF is: Small class sizes are the best part about USF because each student is able to interact directly with their professors and other classmates. At larger universities teachers do not get that chance but at USF all of my teachers are invested in my individual learning, which makes a huge difference in my experience in the classroom.
What does "Change the World From Here" mean to you: "Change the World From Here," means that we as students are given all the tools through our education to make a difference in the world. USF teaches us about the injustices and inequalities in our greater communities so it sets a foundation for us as students to us our talents to ripple positive changes around the world.

Pop Culture
Favorite TV show: I do not have one
Favorite movie: Princess and the Frog
Last book you read: "The New Jim Crow"
Favorite singer or band: Luther Vandross
What's on your iPod: A lot of RnB and smooth jazz music and artists

Team
Most memorable game you've been a part of at USF: The most memorable game that I have been a part of at USF was the San Diego game last year in Vegas in the WCC Semifinals. The energy and excitement surrounding that game was incredible. The team was so locked in and executed the game plan perfectly whereas the final score reflected all the hard work. The feeling and in the locker room after the game is a moment I will cherish forever.
Top skill: Defense
One thing you are always working on: Rebounding and boxing out
Pre-game rituals or superstitions before events: I do not have anything special, but I always put on my left shoe and sock before my right
Funniest teammate: Hashima Carothers and Claudia Price
Favorite coach saying: "You can always control your attitude, energy, and effort." – Jennifer Azzi
Favorite bonding moment with your team: Our team retreat this year in Boonsville. We had unlimited things to do from swimming, baking, watching movies, playing in the game room and many more.

Sports
Sports teams I follow: Warriors
Favorite athlete: Steph Curry
Favorite athletic memory: When the Warriors won the championship
My second-best sport: Track and field (triple jump)
Sport I'm the worst at: Volleyball
Earliest sports memory: Playing soccer in Florida
First sport you ever played: Four years old playing "kick around" soccer

Food and Travel
Favorite meal: Gumbo
Favorite ethnic cuisine: Sushi
Favorite snack food: Fruit
Guilty pleasure: Flan
Least favorite food: Chocolate
If I had to cook all of my meals, I'd survive on: Chicken and vegetables
Who is the best cook on the team: Anna Seilund
If stranded on an island, what would you bring with you: My parents, music, food, and a lot of photographs
Most interesting place you've ever visited: South Africa
Place you'd most like to visit someday: Somewhere in Africa
Favorite place in San Francisco: Crissy Fields
Describe your perfect day in San Francisco: Exploring the city all day long. Starting on one end the city and finishing at the other end, with friends taking pictures and trying new restaurants.

This and That
Hobbies: Gardening and baking
Pick three words to describe yourself: positive, smiley and loving
Early riser or night owl: Early riser
Something people would be surprised to know about me: I love to garden and explore
Person I'd most like to meet: President Obama
Talent I wish I had: Fluency in multiple languages
Role models: Nelson Mandela
My parents were right when they said: Whatever vibes you put out in the universe you will receive
Moment in my life I'll always remember: My brother graduating with his Master's Degree
Things I collect: Seashells
In 10 years, I'd like to be: Traveling the world
If I could trade places with someone for a day, it would be: My two year old cousin
Three people from history you'd like to have dinner with: Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X and Patrice Lumumba
Pet peeves: People sneezing around me and people snoring
Cats or dogs: Dogs
Best advice you've ever received and who was it from: Mom my always give me really good advice, so when I was younger she would always say no one has the power to control your emotions until you give them that power.
Describe your perfect day: My perfect day would be spent with my family on a day trip traveling with no set agenda but just the intention of seeing something beautiful together. Usually anywhere on a boat or surrounded by water with my parents, friends, and brother are my perfect days.

In your own words, describe the student-athlete experience at USF: The experience of being a student-athlete at USF is hard to put into words because it encompasses so much. Having the opportunity to play the sport I love in San Francisco is amazing. I adore my teammates and all the explorations we have had in the city. It is nice to be able to wake up on a Sunday with no practice and be able to pick from a multitude of activities from going to the beach, going on a hike, eating at unique restaurants, or attending free festivals – the options are endless.

Every other day in the life of a student-athlete is usually filled with classes, homework, practice, weights, and film sessions. More often than not, your schedule is usually packed from the time you wake up to the time you lay your head on the pillow for bedtime. As an athlete you end up sacrificing many weekend plans for rest and movie nights on the couch because you are too sore and sleepy to go out. But one of my favorite parts about this aspect is that there are always about fourteen other people (on my team) who are eager to do the same thing. Being a student-athlete comes with a variety of challenges, but I would not want to go through this experience anywhere else than San Francisco with my teammates.

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Hashima Carothers

Claudia Price

Anna Seilund

Kalyn Simon