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University of North Carolina Athletics
My Carolina Experience: Jackson Simmons
November 12, 2014 | Men's Basketball
by Zoya Johnson, GoHeels.com
CHAPEL HILL—Jackson Simmons came to Carolina on a leap of faith. The forward, out of what he deems as “Small Town USA”, Webster, N.C., set the North Carolina high school record for career rebounds with 1,554 and was the leading scorer in Smoky Mountain High School history with 1,914 points. The two-year team captain had guaranteed scholarships waiting for him at several mid-major Division I schools, but chose instead to take a chance on Chapel Hill.
“Coach (Roy) Williams told me what he was offering, which was a scholarship based on availability, and it was the best thing in my mind and has turned out to be the best thing so far both from a basketball standpoint and a career standpoint. I also realized that having a chance to have a degree from UNC would lead to so many other doors outside of playing and I really took that seriously, and still do,” says Simmons.
Growing up, Simmons had two teachers, who were also former Western Carolina basketball players, for parents. His mother also happened to be the women's basketball and volleyball coach at his high school. Regardless, Simmons says they were always parents first. Because they were all connected by the game it helped to keep him and his parents close and their relationship was used as a teaching tool to relate real life and the classroom to what he learned on the court. That philosophy kept Simmons focused in all aspects of his life leading up to Carolina and allowed him to earn the 4.2 grade point average that helped to make Carolina an option for him.
The bond Simmons and his parents shared helped his parents relate to him, but they also understood that it was important to expose him to things outside of basketball. In fact, in addition to being a basketball star in his home town he was also a part of a show choir that won not one, but three national titles.
“The show choir was just a love that I had. I'm not a high note singer or anything but we took it seriously and it was just a tremendous thing to be a part of,” says Simmons.
Though his commitments as a student-athlete have kept him busy while at the university, they have not shielded him from a fulfilling experience. Simmons feels it has actually enabled him to capitalize on his time here.
Though he committed to UNC with hopes of being granted a full scholarship, the fact that he has been granted one for every year he has played thus far is something Simmons will never take for granted. His effort to continue getting better in every aspect of his life has never ceased, and that is more than apparent in the senior's stats. In the past three years, Simmons has gone from walk on, to being known for his diving on the floor in pursuit of loose balls to his fearless defense. He even graded out as UNC's top defender in last year's win over Kentucky, when he was matched up got a number of possessions against Julius Randle.
“From an academic standpoint, I realize how competitive and how tough academics can be around here, but it's worth it,” says Simmons. “I think Carolina has allowed me to be surrounded by people who share my interests and who want to help me. My coaches and the academic services over at Loudermilk have given me a pathway to follow and they understand what I want to do. My experience has opened my eyes up to meet new people and it's allowed me to create friendships that I'll be able to cherish down the road.”
As a hopeful coach and an exercise and sport science major, Simmons feels confident in his Carolina experience and the value it contains for the rest of his life. “Everything you need for the future is right here – academic wise, competition and recognition wise it's all right here. The name Carolina is a worldwide brand and coming here ensures you'll have that worldwide brand with you for the rest of your life.
“The one word that's constantly used when people talk about their experience here is family. It's a great atmosphere and it will be the best four years of your life. I know other schools promise that but Carolina truly fulfills that promise. I was an only child growing up and being here has allowed me to gain that brotherhood and friendships that I always wanted.”
Simmons has found that connection through his teammates and in being a CREED Mentor and SWAG representative. Being a mentor for most of his time at Carolina has allowed Simmons the chance to lead by example and practice dealing with many different types of personalities. He feels being a CREED mentor in the Carolina Leadership Academy has made him a better leader and he thanks (assistant athletic director) Cricket Lane for her efforts to always put the athletes first as she teaches them to be effective leaders.
Simmons' involvement with the athlete run organization S.W.A.G., or Something We Athletes Got, has also given him an opportunity to continue to develop tight friendships and bonds with a lot of other athletes. “I think what it's allowed me to do is watch out for my teammates more and try to help them in understanding there's a right way to do things and always keep in mind that someone is watching. With as big a brand as UNC is we're always going have a Bull's Eye on our backs. People will point out our positives but a lot of times they will want to bring up the negatives. S.W.A.G. , is about doing the right thing and treating people the right way. In terms of growth, I think through our actions it has the potential to have a big impact on the community in general.”
With all these things packed into his experience, it is clear that this forward from “Small Town USA” is leaving Carolina with even more than he had bargained for.