Missouri Western Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tom Smith will add another impressive honor to his resume as he will be inducted into the Valparaiso University Athletics Hall of Fame as part ceremonies taking place this Saturday, February 4th on the Valparaiso campus.

During his playing days at Valpo, he was an Associated Press Little All-American in 1966, the same season he was named the team’s Most Valuable Player.  He also served as the captain of the 65-66 team and helped guide the Cursaders to the NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament under legendary coach, the late Gene Bartow.

Smith took over the head coaching duties of the Valpo program in 1980 and held that role until coming to Missouri Western for the 1988-89 season.

This will be the third Hall of Fame induction for Coach Smith as he is also a member of the Missouri Western State University Athletics Hall of Fame and the Missouri Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.

The formal induction will take place this Saturday in the Community Room of the Christopher Center on the Valparaiso campus at 3:30 PM.  Smith along with the other inductees will be honored at halftime of the men’s basketball game that evening against Wright State which tips off at 7:05 PM.

Other inductees include; former men’s basketball coach Homer Drew, volleyball player Katie (Bova) Hoffman 2002-2005, former team physician & football player Dr. James Malayter and volleyball player Lauren Marshall.

As a result of the induction, Smith will not coach the Griffon Basketball game at Missouri Southern this Saturday night as assistant coach Mike Nicholson will assume the duties.

— MWSU Sports Information —