Janet Smith (1997) - Hall of Fame - University of Delaware Athletics

Janet Smith

Induction:
1997

JANET A. SMITH
Head Women's Lacrosse Coach (1980-89)
Assistant Field Hockey Coach (1979-88)

The architect of Delaware's women's lacrosse dynasty in the early 1980's, Janet Smith posted a 10-year record of 118-51-1 and led the Blue Hens to three straight national titles, claiming Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) titles in 1981 and 1982 and the NCAA title in 1983.

The 1984 squad also placed third at the NCAA Tournament and she led 9 of her 10 teams to winning records, with six winning 10 or more games.

She coached nine All-Americans, including UD Hall of Fame inductees Karen Emas, Anne Brooking, Kim Jackson, Ange Bradley, Anne Wilkinson, Missy Meharg, and Linda Schmidt, and during her tenure and led Delaware to four East Coast Conference titles in 1983, 1984, 1986, and 1987. In 1984 and 1989 she was East Coast Conference Coach of the Year.

As the top assistant coach to UD Hall of Fame field hockey head coach Mary Ann Hitchens, she served for 10 season and helped lead UD teams to nine winning seasons, third place national tournament finishes in 1980 and 1982, and East Coast Conference titles in 1982, 1985, and 1988.

She was inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1997, the Delaware Sports Museum & Hall of Fame in 1998, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and the Ursinus College Athletics Hall of Fame.

During her college years, she played on three U.S. touring teams and was a five-time member of the U.S. women's first team. Before coming to the University of Delaware, she coached at the Tatnall and Sanford Schools in Delaware.