The Knox-Lombard Athletic Hall of Fame
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Michael Smith '96 was a major dual-sport threat for the Prairie Fire in the mid-90's. He graduated in 1996 and still holds records in both men's basketball and track and field.
Michael is the all-time assists leader for the Knox men's basketball team with 323. He is also third all-time with 140 assists in a season, a feat he accomplished in 1995-96. Michael was named first team All-Midwest Conference and Midwest Conference All-Tournament in 1996. He also won co-MVP, co-Most Valuable Senior, and was a co-winner of the Harley Knosher Award during his senior season when he led the team in assists and steals.
As a member of the track and field team, Michael was a three-time Midwest Conference Champion in Triple Jump and also was a member of the Outdoor Conference Champion 4x100m relay team in 1994. He still holds the school records in the indoor Triple Jump (45' 7 1/2") and Long Jump (22' 7 ½"). Michael also finished in second place in the Long Jump at the Midwest Conference Outdoor Meet in 1994 and 1996. He was named team MVP in 1993 and 1996 as well as Greatest Contributor in 1996.
"Michael's athletic and academic career was very impressive," said nominator Darren Smith. "Academic commitments and injuries prevented him from winning any track and field championships during his senior year, but he was among the leaders of the resurgence of the track and field teams in the mid-1990's. He still ranks as one of the best Long and Triple Jumpers in the history of Knox College. He also helped lead the men's basketball team to the Midwest Conference Tournament his senior year."
After he graduated, Michael served as a Graduate Assistant for the basketball and track and field teams at Knox. He went on to begin a successful teaching and coaching career. Michael received a pair of master's degrees. His first master's was in Education Administration in 2004 and then a master's in Curriculum and Instruction in 2011. Michael is currently the Assistant Principal at Reed Custer High School in Braidwood, Illinois.
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