Monday, July 24, 2023

PORTLAND, Ore. – Seattle Pacific head women’s basketball coach Mike Simonson has been selected to serve a four-year term on the NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee.

Simonson, who is entering his fifth season as SPU head coach and his seventh season with the Falcons, begins his term in September. This is his first time serving on an NCAA committee.

“I am extremely excited and honored to serve on the NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee,” Simonson said. “It is something that I will not take lightly as this committee shapes, changes and molds the game for the betterment of women’s basketball. The rules of the game is an area that I am deeply passionate about and I hope to bring a fresh set of ideas to the committee. They have already done a stupendous job growing our game.”

The NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee is comprised of 13 members, including six members from Division I, three members each from Division II and Division III and a non-voting secretary-rules editor. Fifty percent of the committee’s members are head coaches. Proposals from the committee, which encompasses play in all three NCAA divisions, are forwarded on to the Playing Rules Oversight Committee for ultimate approval.

Simonson was elevated to Seattle Pacific head coach in 2018 when Julie Heisey stepped down after a 13-year run. He had previously served two years as an assistant coach on Heisey’s staff. Prior to arriving at Royal Brougham Pavilion, Simonson spent nine years in various positions with the Washington State men’s basketball program, starting out as a student manager and video coordinator before ultimately becoming the program’s coordinator of operations.

“My passion for the rules comes from my background in men’s basketball and transitioning to women’s basketball in 2016,” Simonson said. “Seeing how the games are similar, yet very different, gives me a unique perspective to evaluate our rules. Over the years, I have had a lot of fun brainstorming how to improve our game and it will be exciting to actually have a say for the next four years.”