Reflections Magazine Issue #63 - Fall 2005 | Page 5

500!
500 Wins for Coach Smith!
With an impressive 44 point (109-85) win over the
Davenport University Panthers, Siena Heights’
Head Men’s Basketball Coach Fred Smith
recorded his 500th career win on January 26th.
After the win, the level headed and very grounded Coach Smith said, “500 is great but I want
to get 501!”
Heading into last season Coach Smith’s record
stood at 485-176 and he ranked 14th among
all active NAIA basketball coaches, and was
7th among all NAIA Division II coaches with that
win total. At the beginning of the season, Coach
Smith’s winning percentage (.734) ranked 3rd
among all active NAIA coaches with 400+ wins
and second among NAIA Division II coaches.
Coach Smith has chosen to spend his entire
coaching career thus far at Siena Heights University. His career at SHU started after he took over
for Ben Braun, the current University of California
head coach, in 1985-1986.
Under Smith’s direction, the Saints have won
two District 23 titles, eight WHAC titles, six
WHAC Tournament Championships, and 31 regular or postseason tournaments. He has coached
twenty-four 1,000 career point players, twenty-five
NAIA All-Americans, and nearly 700 games.
On top of that, he has also led the Saints to 12
Photos courtesy of Lad Strayer, Adrian Daily Telegram.

NAIA National Tournament appearances, including nine consecutive appearances — the longest

Coach Smith and
Coach Ben Braun in
the late 1970’s. Smith
was Braun’s assistant
until the mid-80’s
when Ben left SHU to
coach at EMU. Braun
is currently the head
men’s basketball coach
at the University of
California Berkley.

current streak in NAIA Division II. Perhaps the
most impressive statistic about Fred’s career is
the fact that he has never had a losing season.
Former players, SHU faculty and staff members,
and SHU basketball fans gathered to celebrate
Fred’s victory at a dinner and roast held in his
honor this past Spring.

Reflections Fall ‘05 - Siena News

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