SJC Announces Retirement of Coach Gary Smith

October 06, 2011

PATCHOGUE, NY OCTOBER 7, 2011 St. Josephs College is pleased to announce the retirement celebration of mens soccer coach Gary Smith. The occasion will be celebrated at the teams last home game of the season vs. SUNY Purchase on October 22, 2011, with a reception to immediately follow. The game will take place at 4 p.m. at the Medford Sports Complex on Horseblock Road in Medford and the reception will be on the Colleges Long Island Campus in the McGann Conference Center.

During his 26 years at SJC, Coach Smith established both the mens soccer and womens softball programs, and in 2000, he became the first coach to lead a team to a Skyline title and compete in the NCAA Division III Tournament with the womens softball team. In 2008, the mens soccer team won the Skyline championship and he became the first coach to take two different teams to an NCAA Tournament. Coach Smith was inducted into the Golden Eagles Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

"It is never easy to say goodbye to an old friend and a great coach, said Don Lizak, director of athletics on the Long Island Campus. "Gary Smith has done so much for SJC and all of the student-athletes that have passed through his programs. We celebrate his accomplishments and are grateful for his 26 years of service and dedication. We wish him happiness and good health in the years to come.

Coach Smiths career highlights include winning the NAIA District 31 soccer championship in 1991, three Skyline championships, two for soccer (2008, 2009) and one for softball (2000), five consecutive Hudson Valley Conference crowns from 1995-1999 and three WIAC championships. He has also coached three NCAA statistical champions: Allyson Wolff, Tim Trava and Chris Kunzig. Coach Smith is ranked by the NCAA as one of the winningest Division III coaches on both the active and all-time lists. In addition, he has built a network where more than 15 of his players have become youth coaches.

Gary Smith, a Patchogue-Medford High School and University at Albany graduate, taught English at East Islip and Commack High Schools until retiring in 1997. He lives in Hampton Bays with his wife Paula.

For more information about Coach Smiths retirement celebration, contact Matthew Colson 02, director of alumni relations and stewardship at 631.687.2653 or [email protected].