Valparaiso University head basketball coach Keith Freeman has announced that Christy Smith has joined the Crusader staff as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2008-2009 season.

            “I am excited to be in Valpo,” Smith said.  “Growing up in Indiana, I have always been familiar with the program and am honored to be a part of it.”

            Smith arrives at Valpo after serving as the head varsity girl’s basketball coach at Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Ind. during the 2007-2008 campaign.  The previous season, she was an assistant coach at Lafayette Jefferson High School.

            A standout point guard at the University of Arkansas, Smith led the Razorbacks to the Final Four in 1998.  A Second Team All-American by the Associated Press, she was also an All-Southeastern Conference selection during her collegiate playing days, as well as the league’s Freshman of the Year.  She led the nation in free throw shooting as a rookie as well.

            Smith was a member of the gold medal winning United States team that competed at the World University Games in Italy in 1997, and was inducted into the Arkansas Hall of Honor in 2005.

            A native of Benton Central High School in Oxford, Ind., Smith was selected 17^th overall in the WNBA draft by the Charlotte Sting in 1998.

            “We are excited to have a person of Coach Smith’s character and ability join our staff,” said Freeman.  “Her experience as a player and coach will help our team become better.”

            Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Arkansas in 1998 and her master’s degree from the school in 2001 in biomechanics.