Bates College

Julie Roche Simplicio '91 accepts her honors during the 2014 Scholar-Athlete Induction Ceremony on May 24, 2014. (Photo by Sarah Crosby/Bates College)

Julie Roche Simplicio, from Milton, Mass., graduated from Fontbonne Academy in 1987. Julie excelled academically at Bates as a Spanish major, and athletically in volleyball and basketball. She was a member of Bates’ 1989 36-0 ECAC champion team and as a senior, she co-captained Bates to a 36-6 record and a second straight ECAC Division III North title. Along the way, Julie was able to break several records, including most kills in a season (393) and career (976), while also tallying the most solo blocks in a season (91) and career (190), earning her the 1990 New England Division III Volleyball Player of the Year. Accompanying her Player of the Year trophy, she was also honored as Division III East Region all-star, New England first team all-star, NESCAC all-star, all-Maine team, and the AVCA all-region team.

Julie’s excellence in volleyball translated to the basketball court as well. She helped lead Bates to a 54-38 record over her four years, including an appearance in the semifinals of the 1989 ECAC Division III Tournament. Julie held the program record for scoring average in a season for the past 24 years, at an impressive 20.0 points per game during the 1989-90 season. She graduated from Bates as the third all-time leading scorer with 1,110 career points, and she currently ranks 12th on the all-time list. She also recorded 559 career rebounds, and she currently ranks 15th on the all-time list. Julie was Bates’ first women’s basketball player to earn All-America honors, receiving WBCA Kodak All-America Honorable Mention accolades in 1991. As a testament to her superior athletic accomplishments and demonstration of excellence, she was honored as a Senior Citation Award winner.

Julie was recognized for her outstanding academic and extracurricular achievement, as she was named a member of The College Key. Her dedication to Bates can also be reflected through her role as a Class Agent, Reunion Gift Committee Member, and her participation in National Day of Service participants.

After graduation, Julie became an account manger in the Boston office of Alexander & Alexander, insurance brokers. She married Philip Werner Simplicio, a fellow Bates graduate. They both are College Key Members for the Class of 1991. They have three sons, Philip, Timothy, and Peter.

In 2009, in honor of her outstanding basketball career, Julie was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. She currently resides in West Hartford with her husband and three children. She works for Evans, Pires, Meonard as a business account specialist.

For her extraordinary career as an athlete, and for her dedication, leadership and commitment to academics and athletics, we are proud to offer membership in the Bates Scholar-Athlete Society to Julie A. Roche Simplicio.