November 4, 2007 - Rider Retires Smith Number

November 4, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College Athletics
Rider Retires Smith Number

LAWRENCEVILLE—Rider University formally retired soccer legend Bobby Smith’s uniform number Sunday. It marks just the fifth uniform number ever retired by Rider and the first of a soccer player. “Bobby Smith is one of the most accomplished athletes to ever wear a Rider uniform in any sport,” said Rider Director of Athletics Don Harnum. “Retiring his number is a well deserved honor.”

Smith was an All-American at Rider in 1972 after twice earning conference Player of the Year awards. He left Rider with team records for career goals and career points, records that stood for 25 years.

In his nine-year professional career Smith played along side the great Pele, played on four U. S. World Cup qualifying teams, and this summer along with Mia Hamm was inducted into the U. S. National Soccer Hall of Fame.

His first year out of Rider, Smith helped the Philadelphia Atoms win the North American Soccer League Championship. He was the only American on the First Team All-NASL all-star team, and is one of just three Americans to have won three NASL team championships.

Smith and Rider’s graduating seniors were honored prior to the men’s soccer regular season finale against Canisius.

The only other Rider uniform numbers to ever be retired were #19 for field hockey and softball star Kelly Hall ’85, #4 for basketball career scoring leader Darrick Suber ’93, and American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famers Sonny Pittaro, #30, and Tom Petroff, #9. Smith wore #10 at Rider.

-RU-