Tim Smith Steps Aside As Marist Head Men's Tennis Coach
POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Long-time head men's tennis coach
Tim Smith is stepping down from his position as the head coach of the Marist men's tennis team. After completing his 21
st season at the helm, Smith resigns after leading the Red Foxes to a third place Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) finish and a runner up finish at this past season's MAAC Championships.
Smith has taken the Red Foxes to the highest level of success during his time with the team. His teams have won 12 MAAC Championships and have compiled a record-setting 142-11 mark in the league. Smith has been named MAAC Coach of the Year four times in his tenure.
"After quite a bit of soul searching and discussing retirement with my wife and our children, we thought that this June would be a good time," Smith said. "I've always had coaching in my blood, my dad was a coach and an athletic director, and I love the teaching aspect of coaching. What better place to teach than in a classroom where people want to be there, I will miss that the most."
The Red Foxes have competed in 12 NCAA Tournaments under Smith, a Marist College record. Smith has taken the program to the University of Texas at Austin, Baylor, LSU, Harvard, Alabama, Mississippi State, Florida, USC, University of California-Berkeley, and TCU. Smith has led the Red Foxes to 11 perfect conference seasons and the program's last championship in 2014-15 capped off a remarkable run of six championships in seven seasons.
Smith has coached four MAAC Players of the Year, six MAAC Rookies of the Year, 42 All-MAAC First Team singles, 22 All-MAAC Second Team singles, 21 All-MAAC First Team doubles, and 16 All-MAAC Second Team doubles players along with 11 MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player recipients.
Along with the on-court success, Smith has led the program to record marks in the classroom as well. With 79 MAAC All-Academic Team members, 43 ITA Academic Award recipients, and eight ITA Academic Team Awards, Smith led the program to the highest of academic standards.
"Tim's service to Marist for over 20 years is exceptional," Marist Director of Athletics
Tim Murray said. "During that time, he always recruited high achievers both athletically, and more importantly, academically. His athletes have gone on to very successful careers in business and in other fields. In addition, Tim's players always carried themselves with the utmost sportsmanship at all times. His teams enjoyed incredible athletic success, proving that you can combine athletics and academics at a high level."
Smith departs with over 400 career wins coaching at Marist, SUNY Dutchess, and SUNY Oswego including an overall record of 345-111 while at Marist.