Hall of Fame
Smith is native of Knox County (KY) and was a three-time state champion in the mile during his career at Knox Central High School. Smith began his academic and athletic career at Cumberland in 1975. During that season he placed sixth in the 1500 meter and seventh in the 800 meter at the spring nationals. In his junior year he posted a sixth place finish in the 2-mile relay and finished fifth in the distance medley relay during indoor track competition. Smith won the 1977 Kentucky State Championship as an individual in Cross country competition. In addition, he captured sixth place in both the 800 and 1500 meter relays during the national track meet and placed 22nd in the cross country nationals gaining the first NAIA All-American title for any Cumberland cross country team member. Smith's senior season brought additional recognition as he was named an All-American for indoor track with a third place finish in the mile and a fourth in the 1500-meter relay at the spring track nationals. Following his graduation from Cumberland, Smith continued his running interests winning the 1979 Mason Dixon Indoor mile relay with a 4:12 finish and repeating as the winner of the Corbin (KY) 2 mile Moonlight Race on several occasions. He was ranked 79th in the world in 1980; won the 1981 Pigeon Forge Moonlight 5-mile Race; and in 1982, Smith won the Bluegrass 10,000 with a time of 31:46. Smith has taught health and physical education in the Knox County school system since 1978. Smith resides in Corbin, KY and also operates Runners Shop Sports.
