Jon Silver, Former Dresher Resident, LSU's New Director of Basketball Operations

From Louisiana State University:

At age 24, former Dresher, PA resident and Upper Dublin High School varsity baseball player Jon Silver, is among the youngest in America to serve as a director of basketball operations for an NCAA Division I university. He’s beginning his second season in that prestigious position for Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA, under the lady tiger’s Head Coach Nikki Caldwell. He is the youngest in his role in the Southeastern Conference.

Silver, a 2009 graduate of UCLA with a degree in history and political science and Phi Beta Kappa honors, spent three seasons as a practice player for the women’s basketball team at the school, including one season as head manager and scout team captain. It was at UCLA where he was befriended by Coach Caldwell, who was heading the ladies basketball program for the Bruins.

During the 2010-11 season, Silver oversaw UCLA’s film exchange, post-game film breakdowns, live capturing of games, weekly highlight tapes and all other film related matters. As a staff associate, he also assisted the coaching staff in recruiting efforts and acted as a liaison between various offices within the athletic department. Silver additionally assisted the school’s director of basketball operations with the day-to-day management of the program.

“I loved UCLA,” notes Silver. “I went to school there and a lot of my friends still reside there. However, when Coach Caldwell called me asked me to come to LSU there was no hesitation. She is such an energetic and dynamic leader. The opportunity to continue working with her was something I just couldn’t pass up. Working with her and our outstanding coaching staff, support staff and gifted student-athletes has been a real privilege.”

Prior to joining the Bruin’s athletic department, Silver spent a summer in Casco, Maine, as the director of basketball at Camp Cedar. During that summer, he coached the 15-year-old boys team to a 7-1 record and the Camp Cedar Invitational Tournament championship. He also coordinated with camps throughout New England to organize inter-camp tournaments and special events.

Today as director of basketball operations at LSU, which competes in the Southeastern Conference of the NCAA, his job responsibilities run the gamut from scheduling non-conference games, disseminating sports information and handling media relations for Coach Caldwell to coordination with the LSU booster club, special events, marketing, ticketing, equipment, compliance and scheduling and assisting with university tours for new recruits. “It’s always challenging and busy, but it’s most rewarding and an exciting experience,” states Silver.

“In addition,” Silver explains, “I have been fortunate to meet many great coaches and student-athletes throughout the PAC 12 and SEC. “The opportunity to meet and interface with Corey Close, head coach at UCLA, and the legendary Pat Summit at Tennessee were highlights of this past year.”

Prior to his experience at the summer camp in Maine, he was employed for 10 months with the Gersh Agency, a talent group in Beverly Hills, CA. While there, he served as the feature literary department coordinator. He was responsible for the agency’s extensive list of potential projects for its writer and director clients and was in charge of assigning and distributing potential client materials.

Although he’s been away from the Philadelphia area for several years, the former Upper Dublin High school baseball utility infielder says that he’s still an avid follower of Philadelphia’s professional sports teams--the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and 76ers. “Once a Philly fan, always a Philly fan,” he notes.

His parents, Ken and Judy Silver, currently reside in Warrington, PA. His father is a well known area musician and orchestra leader and is the principal in the New Hope-Solebury School District in Solebury, Bucks County, while his mother is a guidance counselor in the Hatboro-Horsham School District. While he was growing up in Dresher, PA the family was active at Congregation Temple Sinai. Silver’s older brother, Matthew, is a recent graduate of Rutgers University School of Law.

“We had a very special team at LSU last season,” Silver relates. “It was definitely challenging moving across the country, meeting new people and adapting to a new community, but I know I’ll look back on my first year with lots of great memories. Silver also says that he’s looking forward to the Lady Tigers upcoming season with great anticipation. “It should be pretty exciting with lots of returning players plus some very talented new faces.