Pam Evans Smith
Springfield, Ohio — For the fifth time in the six years of the existence of the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame & Museum, a Wittenberg University alum or team will be inducted into its prestigious ranks. Legendary basketball coach and athletics administrator Pam Evans Smith, class of 1982, is among 19 players, coaches and officials, in addition to six teams, from around the state selected to be honored at the 2011 induction dinner and ceremony on May 21 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Smith joins Don Henderson, class of 1954, and Frank Shannon, class of 1940, who gained entry into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame & Museum in May 2010, Eldon Miller, class of 1962, who was elected in 2009, and 2008 inductees Al Thrasher, class of 1964, and Ray Mears, who coached the Tigers from 1956-62. In addition, the 1961 Wittenberg men's basketball team, which captured the university's first national championship in any sport, and the 1977 national championship men's basketball team were both inducted in 2006 as part of the inaugural Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame & Museum induction class.
"I can think of no one finer and more deserving than Coach," said Wittenberg women's basketball Head Coach Sarah Jurewicz, class of 1998 and the program's all-time leading scorer. "She was a gift to my life, as I know she was to so many others during her amazing career."
Smith, a 1999 Wittenberg University Athletics Hall of Honor inductee, established herself as one of the premier women's basketball coaches in NCAA Division III in her 21-year coaching career. The seven-time NCAC Coach of The Year compiled a 401-170 record after taking the reins of a struggling program prior to the 1986-87 season, along the way leading the Tigers to eight NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, twelve 20-win seasons and 11 NCAC regular season championships.
Smith also enjoyed a record-breaking career as a player in the Wittenberg Red & White, earning second-team Academic All-America honors in 1982 after earning team Most Valuable Player three straight years. The Tigers' all-time leading scorer until 1989, and still the record-holder for season scoring average, Smith added the role of assistant director of athletics in 1992 and then associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator in 2000.
Also a tenured faculty member in Wittenberg's department of health, fitness and sport, Smith passed away in June 2007 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
"The Wittenberg University women's basketball program has its great tradition because of Pam Smith," said Wittenberg Director of Athletics and Recreation Garnett Purnell. "She enhanced all facets of the program over the years, gaining national recognition and making it a perennial contender in the North Coast Athletic Conference.
"This is an accolade that Pam is so deserving of, in recognition of the hard work and effort she put into building the program and making an impact on the lives of so many young people."
The Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame & Museum was created to preserve Ohio basketball history from the high school through the professional level. It is an effort to celebrate the past, present and future of basketball in the state and recognize the contributions of the athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, media and fans of the sport. Fundraising continues in hopes of eventually finding a permanent physical location for the organization.
Tickets for the induction dinner and ceremony are available for $75, and can be purchased at http://www.ohiohoopzone.com or by calling (614) 792-7748. Corporate and private tables and sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Written By: Ryan Maurer
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