Hall of Fame
Randy Smith, is being recognized for his feats as a player and coach with the university’s baseball team, as well as his administrative duties as Northwestern’s athletic director.
Smith started his illustrious career at Northwestern in 1971, where as a freshman he said he practiced with, but never actually got to play with, fellow Hall of Fame inductee Mike Hargrove.
Although Smith’s primary position was centerfield, he said he believes he may be the first Ranger to ever play at least one inning at all nine positions.
Smith graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1975 and moved on to become a teacher and coach in the Greenfield Public School system. He returned to Alva in the fall of 1978 to begin graduate study and work as a graduate assistant baseball coach. After earning his master’s here in the spring of 1979, he was named as the director of housing.
In 1981, he became the Rangers’ head baseball coach, a job he held until turning over the reins in 1988 to one of his former players, Joe Phillips, who still holds that job. Smith also coached Cody Hooper, current women’s softball coach.
In seven seasons at the Ranger helm, Smith directed his teams to a combined record of 160-149 and qualified for the District 9 playoffs four straight seasons.
Smith also doubled as athletic director beginning in 1983. After turning over the baseball coaching duties in 1988, he was able to increase his teaching responsibilities in the physical education department.
Smith earned his doctor of education degree in educational administration from Oklahoma State University in 1993.
From 1998 to 2002, Smith served the university as dean of the graduate school and director of distance learning, and then in 2002 he was named to his current position. Smith also serves as the university’s faculty athletic representative.
As athletic director, Smith said winning two all-sports trophies is something of which he is proud, but his single, proudest accomplishment has been putting together the Sports Hall of Fame.
“It’s given overdue recognition to so many great Rangers,” he said.
Smith’s wife Mitzi is a 1985 Northwestern graduate. They have one daughter, Madison.
