March 5, 2004

Allendale, Mich. - Terry Smith, men's basketball coach at Grand Valley State for the last seven seasons, has announced his resignation effective immediately.

"I have had a wonderful experience coaching basketball at Grand Valley State," said Smith. "The student-athletes and staff at Grand Valley have been a lot of fun to work with, I will miss the relationships you have within the framework of a university.

"This has been a challenging period of time for my family and I need to reflect on both the direction and demands of my career. As a coach dedicated to his players and the game of basketball my decision to step down was agonizing, but it had to be made," added Smith.

Smith finished his seven-year tenure at GVSU with a 110-83 overall mark. His 110 victories is the second-highest total in the 35-year history of the Laker basketball program. Smith guided GVSU to a 21-9 record during the 2000-01 campaign, including the GLIAC Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Tournament.

"We would like to thank Terry for his loyal efforts and hard work in leading the Grand Valley State basketball program," said GVSU Director of Athletics Tim Selgo. "We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."

A native of Crystal Falls, Mich., Smith guided the Lake Superior State men's basketball program for six years prior to his stint at Grand Valley State. Smith led LSSU to a 20-8 overall mark and a 13-5 GLIAC slate during the 1995-96 campaign in which Lake Superior State won the GLIAC regular season and tournament crowns before advancing to the NCAA Division II National Tournament for the first time in school history. For his effort, Smith was voted GLIAC Coach of the Year by his peers and earned Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year honors.

Smith earned a bachelor's degree in physical education with minors in history and health education from Michigan State University in 1984. He earned his master's degree in physical education from Central Michigan University in 1990.

Grand Valley State will begin a national search to fill the coaching vacancy immediately.