Southern Arkansas University Athletics

Nancy Smith, a graduate of Southern Arkansas University, served as secretary to the director of athletics, the late W.T. Watson, and current athletics director, Jay Adcox, at SAU for 11 years, 1989 through 1999, before retiring.

Her roots run deep at the university. It was her home for many years. She moved on campus before she finished high school when her mother, Lenna Neill, became house mother at Bussey Hall in 1951-52.

Smith’s duties included answering the phone, taking care of student labor, making department purchases, paying bills, helping with fundraisers, working with the Mulerider Booster Club, working with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with reports, ticket sales, concessions, payment of game officials, advertisements, banquets, plaques, trophies, hosting tournaments, keeping records, working with coaches on budgets and schedules, and many other various duties, to name only a few.

Nancy and husband, Harry (Spec) Smith, have a son, Tracy, and daughters Wendy and Shelly. They also have eight grandchildren and a new grandchild. With two exceptions, all graduated from SAU. She retired in December of 1999. The Smith’s still reside in Magnolia.