Simone Ward was born in Atlanta and raised by her mother in New Mexico. She knew early on she had a passion for sports. While in school she competed in tennis, basketball, volleyball, and track. In her free, she time enjoyed skiing and horseback riding in the mountains of New Mexico. Just before entering high school, Simone decided to leave the southwest and headed for Atlanta where she lived with her father and two older brothers. She graduated from Benjamin E. Mays High School where she earned a scholarship to the University of Georgia. While there she majored in Psychology, minored in African Studies, and graduated magna cum laude. Following college, Simone worked for Turner Sports where she developed lasting relationships while learning the ropes of the television broadcasting industry. In 2008, Simone took over the coveted role of Entertainment Reporter for the nationally syndicated, 2 Live Stews Radio show, where she was known as Lady Simone. It was that radio show that led to her current position as Hawks TV Sideline reporter, a position in which she debuts in this year. In addition to her love of sports, she currently serves on the board for the Congressional Black Caucus Scholarship Committee, and lends her support to efforts that raise awareness to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and women's issues. She is the mother of one child, Jaden.

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Rookie Year in Radio: 2008

Pets: Bailey, Miniature Pincher

Married/Single/Other: Single

Hobbies/Interests: I like playing tennis and I'm interested in playing golf, unfortunately my interests haven't got me to the golf course just yet! I'm too busy satisfying my other loves of dining out, working out, travelling, and my greatest joy--enjoying life through the eyes of my five-year-old son.

Causes You Believe In:
1. Hines Ward Helping Hands Foundation- A foundation to support mixed race children in South Korea who have suffered discrimination.
2. Women for Women International- An organization that helps women who have survived in war torn regions all over the world.
3. Efforts that raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Favorite Artist: Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys and TI

Book You'd Recommend: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey; and Memoirs of Geisha by Arthur Golden

Favorite Movie: Coming to America; Pride and Prejudice; and To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite CDs: The last album I liked from start to finish was Eric Benet, Hurricane and TI's Paper Trail.

I'd Give Anything To Meet: and have dinner with Oprah!!!

Favorite Food: Anything on a plate, ALL of it!

You'd Never Know That I: held a summer job in New Mexico that included washing horses and herding steers through the chutes at rodeos.

Favorite Thing About Hawks Games: WINNING!!!

Closing Comment: You can't let your failures define you; you have to let them teach you. ~Obama