Hempstead, NY - Each week, leading up to the 2013 Hall of Fame Dinner on April 13, GoHofstra.com will feature one of the seven individuals and two teams being inducted in the Class of 2013. Today Alicia Smith of the softball team is highlighted.
"Alicia Smith is one of Hofstra Softball's all-time greats. As a player she was relentless and fearless - whether she was in the pitching circle, in the outfield or at the plate. You knew every day that you would get Alicia Smith's very best. Her strong will to win was so contagious that it helped us to countless victories many people thought impossible. She is truly deserving of this Hall of Fame induction and, on behalf of the entire Hofstra Softball family, we celebrate this great honor with her today." - Bill Edwards, Hofstra Softball Coach
A standout softball student-athlete from 1997 to 2000, Alicia Smith had a tremendous impact on the Hofstra Softball program as both a hitter and pitcher. She is Hofstra's all-time leader in hits (271), games played (236) and at-bats (727).
Smith was a second team NFCA All-American in 2000, a four-time All-Mid-Atlantic Region and All-America East selection and had her #23 retired by the program in 2009. She was also a first team Academic All-America selection as a senior in 2000.
In addition to her hits record, Smith also drove in 136 runs and recorded 54 doubles, which both rank in the top five in program history.
Not only known for her offensive prowess, she ranks in the top six in wins (71), innings pitched (619 2/3) and strikeouts (372). She helped Hofstra to three America East Tournament championships and two NCAA Regional appearances during her tenure.
As a freshman in 1997, Smith finished with a .401 batting average, becoming the fifth Hofstra player to bat .400 in a season (nobody has done it since). She earned 21 pitching victories as both a junior and senior, and capped off her career by batting .387 her senior season at the plate. During her senior year, she pitched all 20 innings in a marathon 3-2 win over Delaware in the CAA Tournament, and came back the next day to throw a shutout in a 1-0 win over Boston University in the title game. She also led the Pride to a 2-1 win over #18 Louisiana-Lafayette in the 2000 NCAA Tournament, when she drove in both runs at the plate and picked up the complete-game win in the pitching circle.
Following graduation, Smith coached at Northwestern University for three seasons and at Virginia Tech for one season. She also played professionally in Italy and was a member of the New York/New Jersey Juggernaut professional softball team in 2005.
For the past eight years, Smith has been a physical education teacher at Longwood High School, where she also coaches the softball team and has led the squad to two league championships and a trip to the Suffolk County finals for the first time in school history. In addition, she has coached for the Long Island Bandits, serves as an assistant coach at Dowling College and is a member of the Suffolk County Coaches Association Board
Smith, who hails from Katonah, NY, is married with a daughter, Mia, and currently resides in Bohemia, NY.
To purchase tickets to the 2013 Hall of Fame Dinner, please call James Barone at 516-463-6144.
