From Athlete to Administrator

When Arizona State University appointed Gene Smith as the school\'s 18th director of athletics on July 27, 2001, the Pac-10 school gained both an experienced and accomplished leader. Before arriving in Tempe, Smith served as athletic director at Iowa State University (1993-2000) and at Eastern Michigan University (1986-93). At Iowa State, he coordinated the financial and physical transformation of the Cyclone athletic department, including the construction of a $6.1 million three-story football press tower at Jack Trice Stadium and the $2.3 million Johnny Majors Football Practice Facility. A three-year varsity letterman as a defensive end during his college days, Smith played and then coached five seasons at Notre Dame. He then spent two years working as a marketing representative for IBM before beginning his administrative career at Eastern Michigan in 1983 as assistant athletic