UMSL to Name New Court After Former Basketball Coach and Athletic Director Chuck Smith

St. Louis, Mo. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis Athletic Department has announced that the new gym floor at the Mark Twain Building will be named Chuck Smith Court, after former head men’s basketball coach and athletic director Chuck Smith. The official dedication ceremony of the new court will take place prior to the men’s basketball game against Indianapolis on Thursday, November 30.

Smith was the first ever men’s basketball coach at UMSL, starting the program in 1966, and led the Rivermen for 13 years, compiling a 171-143 career record during that time. He led the 1968-69 team to a 19-7 record and claimed the NAIA District 16 title. In 1971-72, he led the team to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II National Tournament. He coached three All-American players during his tenure and coached four members of the UMSL Sports Hall of Fame.

Smith was the first Athletic Director in the school’s history, leading the department from its infancy in 1966 and just two sports until his retirement in August 1992 when the school sponsored 12 sports programs. He oversaw the construction of the UMSL Mark Twain Building, home of the basketball teams, as well as a multi-purpose facility for recreational use by campus students. The dedication of the gym came on December 6, 1971, when Coach Smith’s team defeated Arkansas 85-79. Other UMSL athletic facilities that were built under Smith’s tenure include the Don Dallas Soccer field, the tennis courts, the old baseball field and the intramural field. In 1991, Smith spearheaded a $1.5 million renovation of the Mark Twain Building to upgrade the facility for both athletic and recreational use.

During his time as Athletic Director, there were a total of 37 teams that qualified for the NCAA postseason tournaments, including the men’s soccer 1973 national championship team. A total of 55 student-athletes earned All-American honors during Smith’s tenure as Athletic Director. He oversaw the addition of the women’s athletic teams in the mid-1970s, and helped UMSL get into the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1980. Smith was an inaugural inductee to the UMSL Sports Hall of Fame in 2001, and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to honor Chuck Smith, the founder of UMSL Athletics, by naming the new court after him,” said UMSL Athletic Director Pat Dolan. “This is a most deserving tribute towards Chuck for all that he has given, and continues to give, not only to the men’s basketball program, but the entire UMSL Atheltic Department.”

The UMSL gym floor is nearing completion of a total replacement after suffering water damage during storms that hit the St. Louis area in late July. The new court is expected to be completed in time for the season opening men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader on Tuesday, November 21.