Living a fearless life

You got dreams? You gotta be fearless to attain them

Todd Simon, ‘03, Bowling Green State University men’s basketball coach and former Central Michigan University Centralis Scholar, has been chasing dreams his whole life.

Life, he says, is all about clearing obstacles — some are placed in front of you, while others you seek to test your mettle.

“I’ve never shied away from a challenge,” Todd said. “I enjoy putting myself in uncomfortable or difficult situations and working through them.”

Todd was diagnosed at 15 with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a form of muscular dystrophy. Thirty years later, his first five steps every morning are akin to walking on glass. 

Even as a pre-teen, Todd was a basketball junkie (he used his GI-Joe action figures to simulate basketball plays) and wouldn’t let his diagnosis end the pursuit of a life centered around the game.

Embracing a different path

Realizing his playing days were over, Todd focused on academics. He earned a full-ride academic scholarship to CMU, where he majored in information systems and sport management. After graduating, he spurned full-time employment and an opportunity to pursue postgraduate work at Harvard.

First stop: Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where he approached legendary coach Paul Westphal seeking permission to watch practice. 

“After a while, I’m asking for films to break down, and he’s like ‘Whatever, kid, here you go,” Todd said. “Then we’re going to lunch, and I was offering coaching tips. Yeah, it sounds crazy — who am I to offer Paul Westphal advice? But he was open to it. In time, he offered me a volunteer job.”

That bold move as a 22-year-old began a journey to coaching stops at UNLV and Southern Utah, and then Bowling Green in 2023. In the middle was a seven-year stop at Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, where he coached high schoolers — including future NBA players — to a 192-9 record. 

“Coach Simon’s journey is a great example that you are limited only by the obstacles you put in your own path,” said BGSU Vice President of Athletics Strategy Derek van der Merwe, who’s also a CMU alumnus. “His work ethic, creativity, commitment to people, and his dogged pursuit of excellence are unmatched.”

Five keys from Todd Simon to living a fired-up life

1. Enjoy and appreciate life's challenges. “I'd rather play Duke, than coach Duke.”
2. Never stop learning. “When I got that Centralis Scholarship, I decided to earn every credit available to me.”
3. Be creative. “At one time I was black-and-white in my coaching. Now, I enjoy seeing the guys play with some swagger, have fun and be creative within the scheme we provide them."
4. Be curious. “My mother instilled curiosity and encouraged me to seek the reasons why things happen and explore new ways of doing things.”
5. Enjoy the journey. “As you climb, you celebrate milestones each step up the ladder. At the beginning of the season, I ask my players, 'If we could fast forward to the end of the season, to where we cut down the nets, would you do that?’'Every time, they say 'no.'"