California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Derrick Scott was a consistent, effective forward for the men’s basketball team from 1993-94 through 1996-97.

He finished with 1,661 career points and 808 career rebounds, while shooting over 60 percent from the floor. Scott still ranks sixth in career scoring and third in career rebounding at Cal U.

Scott is the third Vulcan men’s basketball player from his era to receive the University’s highest athletic honor, joining teammates Chad Scott and Candice Pickens. He is understandably pleased.

“Wow, this is an awesome feeling and I’m at a loss for words,” Scott said. “I am extremely happy. Ever since I was told about this I can’t stop thinking about it and can’t wait.”

The first inside player off the bench during his freshman year, Scott averaged nearly 10 points and five rebounds per game while shooting over 61 percent from the floor.

The 1993-94 team compiled a 25-5 overall record, won the program’s second Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title in three years, and advanced to the NCAA Division II East Regional finals. Scott was named to the regional all-tournament team.

He led the Vulcans in scoring his sophomore year, when he averaged 17.1 points per game. At the time, his 512-point total was the 15th-best single-season scoring output in school history.

Scott also averaged 7.3 rebounds a game and made 118 foul shots. Cal U won 23 games and advanced to the PSAC and NCAA regional championship games.

As a junior, Scott averaged 15 points and a career-high eight rebounds per game with 40 blocks. Cal U’s 1995-96 team made the NCAA II Final Four appearance — the program’s second — and ended with a 27-6 overall record.

“We accomplished a lot that year and worked extremely hard,” he said. “After missing the Elite Eight two straight years by one game we were determined to go farther and we did.”

After winning the PSAC-West title with an 11-1 record, Cal won three-straight conference playoff games, including an 86-84 home win over IUP in the title game.

Scott made his first 12 shots in that game and finished with 25 points and seven rebounds. That marked the Vulcans’ third PSAC crown in five years.

Cal U avenged previous NCAA Tournament setbacks to IUP with a 10-point home win against their rivals in the regional title game by overcoming an earlier 14-point deficit.

“We had some great battles with IUP and it was our turn to come out on top that season,” Scott said.

At the NCAA Elite Eight Tournament, the Vulcans stunned favored fourth-ranked Alabama A&M in the national quarterfinals, 96-86, as Scott produced a 14-point, eight-rebound effort.

Scott believes a turning point for the Alabama A&M game actually took place the night before at the tournament dinner where all eight teams attended. Each of the competing head coaches gave remarks.

“We got our ammunition or motivation there,” said Scott. “Their (A&M) coach was talking smack that they were going to beat us and seemed to already be looking ahead to the Final Four. Even before the game they came out of locker room with their chants and acting like they had already won the game. So we were so driven and played even harder.”

Over his first three seasons, the Vulcans compiled a 75-18 cumulative record and 31-5 PSAC-West mark.

Scott earned all-conference honors for the third-consecutive season in 1996-97 as the Vulcans reached the PSAC Final Four for a sixth-straight season. He played for former head coach Jim Boone and current head coach Bill Brown. The star post-player praised both men.

“Coach Boone was like a basketball guru and taught me a lot of the game,” said Scott. “He really broke the game down now where we knew what the other teams were running before they called out their plays. We just knew what to do and where to be.”

Now the head coach at Delta State and a 2005 Cal U Hall of Fame inductee, Boone said Scott’s induction is well deserved.

“Derrick was an absolute pleasure to coach,” Boone said. “It was so rewarding to watch him grow as a player and person. He is absolutely one of the best inside players to ever play during my time there. I am so pleased to see him receive this type of recognition.”

He was selected the first-ever Alumni Basketball Game MVP in 2000 and led the black jerseys to a 111-94 victory by scoring 19 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Scott played his final season under Brown and lauded the veteran coach for initiating the Basketball Alumni Day Tradition 13 years ago.

“The alumni basketball day is a lot of fun and important,” he said. “Whenever I am able to come back, Coach Brown always welcomes me back with open arms and makes it a pleasure every time which is something I really appreciate.”

Scott certainly made an impression on Brown during their one season together.

“Derrick was a warrior who was always ready for a challenge and wanted to be the best player on the court,” Brown said. “His intensity and high level of play made him a definite crowd favorite.”

Scott earned his bachelor’s degree in Parks and Recreation Management from Cal U in 1997. He credited emeritus professor Dr. Anthony McGrew for his support during his undergraduate days. McGrew still serves as an academic adviser to the Vulcan student-athletes.

“When I look back at the education I always think of Professor McGrew,” Scott said. “Along with the support with classes he was always at our games and he did a lot for me.”

Originally from Duquesne, Pa., he is a graduate of Duquesne High School, where he was the MVP of the Dukes’ 1991-92 WPIAL and PIAA Class A championship team.

He averaged 20.3 points and 15.2 rebounds per game that season and finished his scholastic career with 1,406 points and 1,215 rebounds.

Scott works for Direct Professional Support Staff, based in Elizabeth, Pa. He lives in Monroeville, Pa., with his wife, Pramaine, and two daughters, Taylor and Kaitlyn.

updated on 10/10/12