MISSION STATEMENT
“We are excited to add someone to our staff who shares in the program’s ideals,” said Brand. “Bernadette’s proven athletic ability, along with her knowledge of the game, is a great addition.”
Smith, who was an assistant under Brand at Fairfield University during the 2002 season, assumed interim head coaching duties when Brand joined the Scarlet Knights. While working with the Stags, Smith worked primarily with the offense, while also taking part in planning and running practices and recruiting.
Smith was a four-year letterwinner at Saint Joseph’s University (PA) in women’s lacrosse before graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 2001. While playing for the Hawks, Smith served as a tri-captain in her senior season. She was named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2000 and 2001 and was awarded the MVP award in 2001. Not only recognized by her team, Smith was a member of the Atlantic 10 All-Conference Team as a junior and senior and was the 2001 Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year after leading the A-10 in draw controls with 42 her senior season. While at SJU, she was selected to the A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and the Saint Joseph’s Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.
In addition to her awards, Smith holds numerous places in the Saint Joseph’s women’s lacrosse record book. In the career standings, she is tied for first in games played (59), and is second in goals scored (124) and points (144). On the single-season charts, she tied for first in goals as a senior with 51 after taking fourth as a junior in 2000 with 43. For single-season points, Smith is fourth (60, 2001) and sixth (49, 2000) and for shots on goal she set the record of 120 as a senior after taking 95 shots in 2000 for fifth place.
The Scarlet Knights will begin their 2003 campaign on Saturday, March 1, at Virginia Tech and will host their first home match on Tuesday, March 11, against Delaware at 3:30 p.m.
