Niagara women’s basketball head coach Jada Pierce announced the hiring of Jamie Smith as the Director of Basketball Operations. Smith most recently served as the graduate assistant coach at Alfred University for the 2016-17 season.
“We are thrilled to add Jamie to our staff,” said Pierce. “Jamie adds real life experience, along with various coaching and basketball internships at a high level, making her a great fit. Her overall knowledge of the game, as well as organizational skills, really made her stand out. Not only is Jamie a tireless worker that strives for excellence, but her passion and love for the game is second to none. Also, her genuine care and commitment to the student-athlete experience falls in line with some of our program goals. Jamie’s experience as a player gives her an advantage to know exactly what our student-athletes will need and our players will benefit greatly from having Jamie as part of our staff.”
Smith handled recruiting and was a defensive coordinator in her one season at Alfred University, which competes at the NCAA Division III level.
Prior to Alfred University, Smith worked as a volunteer assistant coach at Daytona State Community College from 2015-16 and she served as a coaching intern at George Mason from 2013-15.
Smith played college basketball at the NCAA Division I level from 2008-12, beginning her career at Saint Peter’s before transferring to Morgan State after her freshman season. She was a three-year starter at point guard for Morgan State, where she was coached by Niagara assistant coach Liberty Del Rosario, as well as serving as a team captain. In 2011, Smith helped lead Morgan State to its first-ever postseason appearance; the team reached the semifinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championships.
“I am grateful to be given the opportunity by Coach Pierce to be part of such a great staff and community of people,” Smith said. “Getting back into the MAAC is a dream come true and I am looking forward to being part of a rising program. We all have the same mindset and goal, which is to win a MAAC championship.”
Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and integrated media from Morgan State in 2014 and began her Master’s of Business Administration at Alfred University.
http://purpleeagles.com/news/2017/5/16/smith-named-director-of-womens-basketball-operations.aspx
Tagged with: Jada Pierce Jamie Smith MAAC Niagara
