Ann Smith receives Pathfinder Award

Smith was on the physical education faculty at Chadron State College for 25 years before retiring in 2005. She also coached cross country for five years and track and field for nine years at CSC.

The Pathfinder Award is presented to women who have demonstrated dedication to the advocacy, recruitment and enhancement of girls and women in sports.

After earning her bachelor’s degree from Chadron State in 1970, Smith began her teaching career at Bridgeport, where she coached the school’s first volleyball and girls’ track teams. Her first track team was the runner-up at the state meet and her team in 1974 won the state championship.

She earned her master’s degree from CSC in 1977 and joined the college faculty in 1980. She served as chair of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department from 1987-1998. During her coaching tenure, her athletes won 13 conference or district championships and 10 All-American honors.

Smith also designed and implemented a sports law course that was required of all CSC physical education and recreation majors and those seeking coaching endorsements.  

In addition, she served on Title IX committees at all levels of the American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and presented many programs on gender equity across the state.  She received the association’s Honor Award for Nebraska in 1987.

 Smith was the first Chadron State faculty member to receive the Burlington Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award in 1985. She was presented the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award last fall.

Smith has been a Red Cross volunteer for nearly 12 years and has been deployed to assist with relief activities following 16 disasters in 13 states. She is currently teaching driver’s education at the Pine Ridge Job Corps Center.