Charlie Smith

Inducted in 1995

Men's Basketball, Coaching

As a Lion

A high school All-State basketball player in Florence, Ala., Charlie Smith played for Freed-Hardeman College in 1966-68. During that time, he was named to the Dixie Conference All-Conference team and the Region VII National Junior College Athletic Association's All-Region team.

After Graduation

Smith completed his baccalaureate degree at Oklahoma Christian College in 1970. While there he was named to the NAIA District IX All-District team. EH also set school records for shooting percentage and rebounding average.

Smith returned to Freed-Hardeman in 1978 as the men's basketball coach. Since then, he has at various times coached baseball, women's tennis, men's tennis and volleyball and served as the university's athletic director.

It is as a tennis coach that Smith has gained his greatest renown. During his seven-year tenure the Lions have posted a 99-55 record overall and 71-19 in the conference. For three straight years they have won the NAIA District 24 titles and made trips to the NAIA national tournament. This year they again won the Tennessee Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament. Smith was named TCAC Coach of the Year in 1989 and NAIA District 24 Coach of the Year in 1993-95.

Even more remarkable has been his women's team. The Lady Lions have won ten consecutive TCAC championships, won six district titles and have ranked in the NAIA Top 20 nine of the last ten years. The team has never lost a conference match, posting a 166-0 conference record. Smith has been named TCAC Coach of the Year five times and NAIA District 24 Coach of the Year seven times.

Smith is a member of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Board of Directors and is secretary of the NAIA National Tennis Coaches Association. He is married to the former Nancy Williams. They have three children and two grandchildren.