Category: Coach
Sport: Women's Softball
Institution: St. Clair College
Inducted: 2019
Bill Smith helped launch the St. Clair College women's softball program in 2002 and was an ideal candidate to serve as its first head coach. Bill was heavily involved in the development of softball at the grassroots level in the Windsor community and brought that care and expertise to the collegiate program at St. Clair.
Over 11 seasons he was a dedicated and organized coach who put the players first while imparting an integrity that still resonates today. After starting the program from scratch Bill won nearly 70 per cent of his regular season games and led the Saints to eight OCAA medals including the first three provincial championships in the history of the team.
Bill was instrumental in delivering the program on the campus assisting in the improvement of the diamond and facilities. He was a central figure in St. Clair's ability to host three OCAA championships as well as a CCSA national championship tournament. Smith was well respected amongst his peers winning four OCAA Coach of the Year awards as well as earning two Inter-Collegiate Coach of the Year Awards at St. Clair College.
Bill continued his involvement with St. Clair Athletics after his coaching career, establishing a scholarship fund to assist in the recruitment of future Saints softball players. In addition, Bill has been the official Saints photographer since 2005 suppling first rate images across the entire varsity program including provincial and national championship play.