Ron Derian (1993-97) was an outstanding four-year basketball player for the Behrend Lions.

Derian entered the men’s basketball program as a hardworking and physically tough player. He earned ECAC Honor Rolls recognition as a freshman and finished his career as a polished player—guiding the blue and white to the program’s second berth in the ECAC Tournament under head coach Dave Niland.

Derian, routinely led the team in minutes played and came to play each and every night—leaving it all on the floor.  The 6-4 forward served as the program’s captain and started 89 of the 95 games he participated in.

His versatile skills enabled him to excel in multiple facets of the game. Derian racked up 908 career points, while also dishing out 179 career assists. As a junior and senior he led the team in rebounds per game at six. Derian is ranked eighth all time for career rebounds with 538. He ranked fourth in career steals (111), and fifth in career free-throws made (239), and thirteenth in assists at the conclusion of his remarkable career.

After the 1996-97 season, Derian was labeled Behrend’s Male Athlete of the Year and the basketball program’s Most Valuable Player.  During his highly successful career he earned several accolades, including the Defensive Player of the Year, two-time winner of the Hustle Award, and named the MVP of the Behrend Tip-Off Tournament.

Derian, a graduate of Steel Valley High, is the Director of Admissions at EDMC in Pittsburgh.