Chuck Smith was the first-ever head coach for the men's basketball program, guiding the team to the NAIA National Tournament in 1968-69, the first ever postseason appearance for the Rivermen. He took the 1971-72 team to the NCAA Division II National Tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight. In February 1979, he was named the full-time Athletic Director after serving as both the men's basketball head coach and Athletic Director since 1966.

In 1971-72, he oversaw the construction of the Mark Twain Building, the soccer field, baseball field and tennis courts, and in 1990 oversaw the renovations to the Mark Twain Building. During his tenure as Athletic Director, the school had two basketball teams advance to the National Tournament, the men's soccer team won the national title and advanced to the Final Four six times, and the baseball team advanced to the College World Series three times. In his 26 seasons with UMSL Athletics, the school had teams reach the National Tournament on 37 occasions and had 55 student-athletes earn All-American recognition. In 1990, Smith was inducted into the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame.