Jake Brydson Assistant Coach (Jumps) | Southern Illinois University Athletics Website
Jake Brydson Assistant Coach (Jumps) | Southern Illinois University Athletics Website
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Saluki Hall of Famer Connie Price-Smith was inducted into the 2024 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Hall of Fame, the organization announced Tuesday.
The St. Charles, Missouri native was one of six coaches elected this year.
Price-Smith's accolades began at Southern Illinois University (SIU) as a four-year member of the women's basketball team from 1980-1984. As a junior, she led the nation and set the Saluki record for field goal percentage at .650, which stands today.
After SIU, Price-Smith made four Team USA Olympic teams and earned many accomplishments in track and field in shot put and discus. By the end of her career, she was one of only 14 female athletes and one of only 30 US athletes to compete in four Olympiads.
In total, she won 25 national titles, the most by any woman in U.S. history.
After finishing her competitive career, she returned to Southern Illinois where she coached the Saluki Women's Track and Field team from 2001-04 before taking over the entire program from 2004 through 2015. During her tenure as head coach, she was a six-time MVC Coach of the Year with each year resulting in an MVC team championship. She coached 72 All-Americans (51 First-Team), including eight NCAA national champions and 17 NCAA runners-up. She also produced 206 MVC Champions and 19 MVC Most Valuable Athletes.
She currently serves as Head Coach at Ole Miss University, where she has continued success and elevated the program to a perennial national contender.
Price-Smith is recognized as a leader in track and field circles, having served as President of USTFCCCA and chairing the NCAA track and field committee.
She was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2016.
The 2024 USTFCCCA Coaches Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 17 at the USTFCCCA Convention held at Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, Florida.
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