Gene Smith (2013) - E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame - Eastern Michigan University Athletics

Gene Smith

Induction:
2013

Athletic Administrator: Joined the EMU athletic department in 1983 as an assistant athletic director, was named interim executive athletic director in 1985, and became the athletic director in 1986...During his EMU tenure he saw the 1987 football team win the MAC championship on the way to a victory in the California Bowl, directed the $13 million renovation of Rynearson Stadium, watched the EMU men's basketball team win the MAC title in 1987 and 1991 and make the NCAA Tournament both years, making it to the "Sweet 16" in 1991...Also the director when EMU won two Reese Trophies as the top men's athletic program in the MAC. Left EMU in 1993 to become the athletic director at Iowa State University, before serving as the athletic director at Arizona State and Ohio State University...Identified as one of Black Enterprise's 50 most powerful African-Americans in sports...In 2010, was honored as the Sport Business Journal's Athletic Director of the Year. First African American President of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)...Served on the NCAA Management Council, NCAA Committee on Infractions, NCAA Executive Committee, NCAA Football Rules Committee, President's Commission Liaison Committee, NCAA Baseball Academic Enhancement Task Force and the National Football Foundation Honors Court...In 2006, was named to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Committee and in 2010 became the chairman.