Robbinsville has a new manager of facilities and he may be a name you know.
Ron Simpson took the spot in June and has been already making changes in the township. One in particular: basketball. And that’s where you might know him from.
The 51-year-old is the 2nd highest career scorer in Rider University’s history. Plus, he’s also in Rider’s basketball hall of fame. Still don’t recognize him? Well Simpson has been a staple of the Robbinsville Township’s basketball community for almost a decade.
He started doing basketball camps eight years ago in Robbinsville. In fact, he’s been directing one week summer camps and two to three clinics in town a year. But how did it all begin?
It began quite simply. Simpson grew up in Montclair, and attended Immaculate Conception High School where he was an all-state football and basketball player. When he was deciding which athletic career to continue on, he weighed his options.
“I always joke that I chose basketball over football because I wanted to live longer,” Simpson jokes.
After a successful career at Rider, Simpson tried his hand at playing professionally.
“I was told I was being scouted by numerous teams (for the NBA),” Simpson said. “You know I always say there are really good college players that never make the pros and you have to be a phenomenal, outstanding basketball player—I mean in any pro sport.”
He took his talents to France to play and did not enjoy the experience. When he came back to the states, Simpson tried out for the former United States Basketball League in Philadelphia. After not making the team, he switched career paths. His next career move was into law enforcement, something he had long considered. Many of his relatives and friends in college were state troopers or local police.
The college basketball legend became a star in the New Jersey attorney general’s office in his 20-year career. He was a sergeant in the street gang unit where he led many investigations, presentations and trainings. Throughout his career he also made time to give back to the community through helping others grow a love for basketball.
He’s been coaching for 25 years at numerous places around the tristate area including Notre Dame High School, Allentown High, Mercer County Community College and the Soleberry School in Pennsylvania. In 2012, Simpson retired from law enforcement and became the head boys’ basketball coach at Kings Christian. Within a year, he was the athletic director, and stayed there until he came to Robbinsville this past year.
Simpson says he wants to overhaul recreational sports in town, particularly basketball. In just a few short months, he has put together mini-tournaments in hopes of making Robbinsville a basketball powerhouse.
“My whole purpose is to improve or gain more interest in basketball here,” he says. “I know the basketball community here…and now that I’m in house, I can do a lot more.”
‘You grow by playing different players from different areas and backgrounds. That’s how you get better.’
Simpson’s goal is to focus on developing young players so that they are prepared for high school and travel teams. Simpson wants to build up rec players skill work and get them exposed to playing AAU teams. Simpson founded and is the executive director of the South Jersey Titans AAU basketball programs, which consist of 15 travel teams of young boy and girl players.
With those teams, he has quite an impressive record, winning two national championships since 2015. Exposing Robbinsville players to AAU teams like the Titans is something he thinks could take players to the next level.
“Robbinsville has some good players in town, but I want to take them outside and showcase them. You grow by playing different players from different areas and backgrounds. That’s how you get better,” he says.
Better yet, he really wants to challenge young players in Robbinsville while exposing them to different environments. He acknowledged the great interest shown from families in town as he began rolling out new goals to build the program.
It will take a few years, but Simpson is up for the challenge. And although he doesn’t play ball any longer due to some health issues, he said he can always be seen out shooting some hoops on the weekend.
When it comes to his favorite teams, Simpson roots for Georgetown and Seton Hall during college season. Football, well, he’s an Eagles fan despite growing up 15 minutes from the Meadowlands.
And as for his family, Simpson helps coach his son Derek, who plays for his South Jersey Titans. Both daughters Marissa and Courtney also played sports growing up and into college.
And as of right now in Robbinsville, Simpson says things are “so far so good.”
Ron Simpson became Robbinsville’s director of facilities in June.,
