Smithtown, NY - Hofstra University Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Shannon Smith will be inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame, it was announced today at a press conference at Watermill Caterers in Smithtown, New York. 

The official induction ceremony will take place on May 10 at Watermill Caterers. 

"It's with great pride that we introduce the Class of 2018," said Chris R. Vaccaro, Executive Director of the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. "We have a diverse group ranging from pro to amateur athletics, all with an undying passion for their hometown of Suffolk County. We can't wait to celebrate with the Class of 2018 in the coming months."

Smith, a three-time first-team lacrosse All-American who is among the most decorated players in the sport, is also the head women's lacrosse coach at Hofstra. The West Babylon native completed a four-year playing career at Northwestern in May 2012. 

Among her many highlights included winning three NCAA titles, earning three first team All-American honors (2010, 2011, 2012) and capturing the 2011 Tewaaraton Trophy (presented annually to the NCAA women's and men's lacrosse player of the year) and lacrosse Honda Sport Award (recognized as the top collegiate female athlete in her sport, and the award is considered by many as one of the highest honors a female college athlete can receive in the nation). 

A key player on three teams that captured NCAA titles at Northwestern (2009, 2011, 2012), Smith was the Most Outstanding Player of the 2011 and 2012 Championships. During her career, she scored 58 points in the NCAA Tournament to rank second all-time in that category. Smith's incredible career at Northwestern was recognized in 2017 as she was inducted into the Northwestern Athletics Hall of Fame.

Smith's immense experience at the highest level of lacrosse continues with her extensive US Lacrosse career. She was named to the roster for the 2012-14 U.S. women's national senior team. As a member of the U-19 squad, she helped lead the team to the Gold Medal at the 2007 World Cup. 

A native of West Babylon, New York, Smith attended West Babylon High School where she was a six-time letter-winner and was a member of the varsity squad starting in seventh grade. Smith was one of the top scholastic lacrosse players to ever come out of Long Island as she had 729 points on 505 goals and 224 assists during her career. Both the points and goals totals are New York state records as is her 129 goals in 2006.

The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2018 inductees are:
-Stephen Bowen: Former Hofstra Football and NFL player from Half Hollow; works in operations for the NFL
-Robert F. Burkley: Decorated track and field coach in Middle Country Schools from 1964-1998
-Joe Dooley: Suffolk County football official for 39 years, rated No. 1 for 12 straight seasons
-Cheryl Klein-Obelar: Record-setting shot/discus thrower at Bellport and University of Houston
-Edward J. Morris: Former Executive Director of Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame from 2000-2017
-Matt Ryan: Highly decorated U.S. Olympic Handball player from Miller Place
-Harry Schneider: Decorated track and field coach in Middle Country Schools for 32 years
-Shannon Smith: West Babylon native, Hofstra lax coach, All-American, Tewaaraton winner
-Clem Stancik: Brentwood tennis coach; Winningest tennis coach in New York history
-Hans Wiederkehr: Babylon football coach and longtime Suffolk football administrator
-Special Recognition Award: Bay Shore Junior Fire Department Racing Team