Wrestling alumnus brings young experience to Urbana University

Brett Smith, right, wrestles an opponent during a match as an undergraduate at Seton Hill University. During his wrestling career at SHU, Smith compiled 48 wins and was a two-time NCAA Division II Academic All-American. Photo from SHU Athletics.

Seton Hill University has passed on yet another student-athlete to the coaching world. Many student-athletes have been very successful at SHU and had the desire to pass their knowledge on to other sports programs throughout the country. A key benefit behind the coaching moves for young alumni is the graduate school that they can complete while being a graduate assistant and getting their education paid for.

Some alumni have even stayed in Greensburg to help the Griffin sports programs. However, Brett Smith, a graduate of SHU who was an impact member of the wrestling team and served as an assistant coach, has now ventured out of the area. He has been hired as the head coach for the Urbana University wrestling team in Ohio.

Smith received the task of relaunching the college’s program, which ended nearly 20 years ago. The UU wrestling team competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

One large strength that Smith will have starting this program according to UU’s athletic director Larry Cox is his ability to be “familiar with this type of student-athlete.”

Brett Smith, left, sits alongside Seton Hill University wrestling head coach Brian Tucker during one of the team’s matches. Smith, who served as a graduate assistant coach and wrestled as an undergraduate at SHU, was recently hired as the wrestling head coach at Urbana University in Ohio. Photo from SHU Athletics.

This trend of young head coaches has been prevalent throughout the country and fosters a strong relationship between the coach and player. Smith is very qualified for this role as he was a key contributor of fundraising, recruiting and monitoring academic progress at SHU as a coach. Smith is also very excited about the new position.

“Wrestling is an important part of the local culture in Ohio, and I think this area is excited for more access to college wrestling,” Smith said in an article from the Urbana Athletics website. “I look forward to building a program of success for the Blue Knights on the mat, in the classroom and in the community.”

As the young alumnus embarks on a journey of starting a program from basically scratch, he will have the values of the university and a successful collegiate career in his back pocket.

Published By: Stephen Dumnich

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