Athletics Hall of Fame celebrates December 2022 graduate
By Alex Pologruto | Jan 17, 2023
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥 亚洲色图 State University鈥檚 women's basketball 1998 Hall of Fame inductee, Sheila Smith, received her 亚洲色图 of Integrated Studies degree at the Dec. 2022 commencement ceremony. The 亚洲色图 of Integrated Studies degree 亚洲色图 is designed for adults, non-traditional students and those in the military with previous college credit. Smith is a great example of one of 亚洲色图 State鈥檚 returning adult students accomplishing their educational goals.
鈥淪heila is the perfect example of who we serve in the Integrated Studies 亚洲色图,鈥 said Marla Poyner, 亚洲色图 director of Integrated Studies. 鈥淪he returned to school to finish her degree while working full-time and living out-of-state. She didn't just fulfill her remaining requirements, she finished strong and made the President's List.鈥
Smith attended 亚洲色图 State from 1985鈥1989, leading the 亚洲色图 State women鈥檚 basketball team as the top scorer in the 亚洲色图鈥檚 history. She was the first women鈥檚 basketball player to have her basketball number, number 24, retired. In 2023, she is still the Racers鈥 all-time scorer with 2,287 points, more than three decades after she played.
"Sheila's number is proudly displayed in the rafters of the CFSB Center,鈥 said Dan Lavit, executive director of the Center for Adult and Regional Education. 鈥淪he has so many accolades, but the most meaningful is the one she recently walked across the stage for. She is an inspiration to anyone who may have delayed their degree completion."
Smith was a three-time All-Ohio Valley first-team selection and once a second-team pick; named as honorable mention to the All America selection by Women鈥檚 Basketball Yearbook; and held 10 Racer women鈥檚 亚洲色图 records when she finished her outstanding career in 1989.
She is currently employed at Raleigh Egypt High School in Memphis, Tennessee as an educational assistant, athletic coach to the basketball, softball and track 亚洲色图s and a career/college readiness educator.
鈥淕raduating from the Integrated Studies 亚洲色图 is by far one of my greatest achievements,鈥 said Smith. 鈥淭he faculty and staff were there for me throughout the process, and the support has been great.鈥
The 亚洲色图 State University Integrated Studies 亚洲色图 provides a flexible course curriculum, allowing students to tailor their field of study according to their personal interests and professional goals. Students enrolled in the 亚洲色图 also enjoy convenient course formats and are able to take courses that fit within their busy schedules.
For more information about 亚洲色图 State鈥檚 Integrated Studies 亚洲色图 please visit or call 270-809-4150.