Columbia Hires Paige Smith as Assistant Softball Coach
8/26/2021 2:00:00 PM | Softball
Former Seton Hall head coach joins Teague’s staff
NEW YORK — The Columbia softball program announced the hire of Paige Smith as an assistant coach on Thursday. Smith was most recently the head coach at Seton Hall from 2013-21.
Smith brings 14 years of head coaching experience with her to Columbia. Prior to her time at Seton Hall, she was the head coach at NCAA Div. II Adelphi from 2008-12.
"Adding Paige to our staff has made our program even better," Columbia softball head coach Jennifer Teague said. "Paige is well known and respected in the softball community and in the Northeast. She brings a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of coaching at the highest level.
"Paige will work specifically with our hitters and our outfielders. Our staff now has over 33 years of head coaching experience, which I couldn't be more excited about. Our players get to be led and coached by an amazing staff. We are excited to welcome Paige to the Pride and get started chasing a championship!"
Smith took over the softball program at Seton Hall in 2013 and led the Pirates to two BIG EAST Tournament appearances in her first three seasons. In 2015, she guided the Pirates to 25 wins, ten of them in BIG EAST play, and a third-place finish in the BIG EAST regular season, the program's highest finish in the conference standings since 2005. Seton Hall advanced to the tournament final for the first time since 2005.
"Coach Teague has built a softball family, with a great reputation for competing at the highest level by paying attention to the most important detail - the humans in your circle," stated Smith upon her hire. "It's been on my radar for a while now and I wanted to apply the last time this position opened. Timing is a funny thing and a wise coach once told me that everything happens for a reason. I really believe that.
"Everyone who really knew me knew I wasn't done and that I would eventually find my way back to this game. What they didn't know is what I had shared with my coaching friends, whom I told 'the only way I would return to college softball would be as an assistant coach at Columbia.' This position is a dream and meeting Coach Teague and Coach Beth only made me more excited to stage a comeback."
During Smith's tenure, Seton Hall had 17 All-BIG EAST selections, including seven to the first team. One of them was 2015 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year and 2017 BIG EAST Player of the Year, Alexis Walkden, who graduated as the program's all-time single-season home run leader, career runs scored and career walks drawn leader and top five in career batting average, doubles and home runs.
Smith's offensive coaching impact was felt immediately in her first year as Seton Hall's head coach. The team batting average jumped 61 points from 2012 to 2013, as well as a 95-point jump in slugging and 44 extra stolen bases.
"I plan on continuing the work this staff has put towards this program and blending it with things I've learned from some amazing colleagues," Smith continued. "There isn't any one way to train a hitter, but I believe in being aggressive, listening to athletes and giving them a say in their individual development while keeping it fun and competitive."
Prior to taking over at Seton Hall, Smith spent five seasons at Adelphi, compiling an overall record of 169-104-1 and leading the Panthers to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Smith burst onto the scene at Adelphi in 2008, setting a program record for wins (Division II), racking up a 41-21 record and guiding the Panthers to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Throughout her tenure, she kept Adelphi a perennial contender in the competitive Northeast 10 Conference.
In 2012, Adelphi posted a 35-20-1 record and reached the NCAA Regional Semifinals. Under her tutelage, Smith coached 29 All-Conference, 11 All-Region, four CoSIDA Academic All-District honorees, and two All-Americans in Samantha Johnston and Emily Dorko.
Prior to Adelphi, Smith spent the 2007 season as the first assistant coach with the St. John's University softball program where she worked primarily with middle infield and outfield instruction, hitting instruction and all areas of recruiting. Smith worked extensively with Loren Anguiano, who went on to play professional softball for the Philadelphia Force.
Smith's other assistant coaching stops include Louisburg College in North Carolina, as well as North Idaho in her hometown of Coeur d'Alene. She aided North Idaho to the NJCAA College World Series in 2006.
As an athlete, Smith started at North Idaho before moving up to NCAA Div. I Campbell University following her sophomore season. While at North Idaho, she earned NJCAA Academic All-America and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American Scholar Athlete honors in 2000 and 2001.
At Campbell, Smith started 100 out of 112 games and was voted team captain in 2003. Smith received Presidential and Intercollegiate Scholar honors from 2001-2002 and made the Atlantic Sun All-Academic Team in 2002 and 2003. She also earned the Coaches Award in 2003.
Smith graduated from Campbell University in 2003 with a bachelor's of science in physical education. She later earned her masters of science in adult education and organizational learning from the University of Idaho in 2005.
--
For the latest on Columbia softball, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@CULionsSoftball), on Facebook (Facebook.com/CULionsSoftball), or by visiting GoColumbiaLions.com.
Smith brings 14 years of head coaching experience with her to Columbia. Prior to her time at Seton Hall, she was the head coach at NCAA Div. II Adelphi from 2008-12.
"Adding Paige to our staff has made our program even better," Columbia softball head coach Jennifer Teague said. "Paige is well known and respected in the softball community and in the Northeast. She brings a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of coaching at the highest level.
"Paige will work specifically with our hitters and our outfielders. Our staff now has over 33 years of head coaching experience, which I couldn't be more excited about. Our players get to be led and coached by an amazing staff. We are excited to welcome Paige to the Pride and get started chasing a championship!"
Smith took over the softball program at Seton Hall in 2013 and led the Pirates to two BIG EAST Tournament appearances in her first three seasons. In 2015, she guided the Pirates to 25 wins, ten of them in BIG EAST play, and a third-place finish in the BIG EAST regular season, the program's highest finish in the conference standings since 2005. Seton Hall advanced to the tournament final for the first time since 2005.
"Coach Teague has built a softball family, with a great reputation for competing at the highest level by paying attention to the most important detail - the humans in your circle," stated Smith upon her hire. "It's been on my radar for a while now and I wanted to apply the last time this position opened. Timing is a funny thing and a wise coach once told me that everything happens for a reason. I really believe that.
"Everyone who really knew me knew I wasn't done and that I would eventually find my way back to this game. What they didn't know is what I had shared with my coaching friends, whom I told 'the only way I would return to college softball would be as an assistant coach at Columbia.' This position is a dream and meeting Coach Teague and Coach Beth only made me more excited to stage a comeback."
During Smith's tenure, Seton Hall had 17 All-BIG EAST selections, including seven to the first team. One of them was 2015 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year and 2017 BIG EAST Player of the Year, Alexis Walkden, who graduated as the program's all-time single-season home run leader, career runs scored and career walks drawn leader and top five in career batting average, doubles and home runs.
Smith's offensive coaching impact was felt immediately in her first year as Seton Hall's head coach. The team batting average jumped 61 points from 2012 to 2013, as well as a 95-point jump in slugging and 44 extra stolen bases.
"I plan on continuing the work this staff has put towards this program and blending it with things I've learned from some amazing colleagues," Smith continued. "There isn't any one way to train a hitter, but I believe in being aggressive, listening to athletes and giving them a say in their individual development while keeping it fun and competitive."
Prior to taking over at Seton Hall, Smith spent five seasons at Adelphi, compiling an overall record of 169-104-1 and leading the Panthers to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Smith burst onto the scene at Adelphi in 2008, setting a program record for wins (Division II), racking up a 41-21 record and guiding the Panthers to the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Throughout her tenure, she kept Adelphi a perennial contender in the competitive Northeast 10 Conference.
In 2012, Adelphi posted a 35-20-1 record and reached the NCAA Regional Semifinals. Under her tutelage, Smith coached 29 All-Conference, 11 All-Region, four CoSIDA Academic All-District honorees, and two All-Americans in Samantha Johnston and Emily Dorko.
Prior to Adelphi, Smith spent the 2007 season as the first assistant coach with the St. John's University softball program where she worked primarily with middle infield and outfield instruction, hitting instruction and all areas of recruiting. Smith worked extensively with Loren Anguiano, who went on to play professional softball for the Philadelphia Force.
Smith's other assistant coaching stops include Louisburg College in North Carolina, as well as North Idaho in her hometown of Coeur d'Alene. She aided North Idaho to the NJCAA College World Series in 2006.
As an athlete, Smith started at North Idaho before moving up to NCAA Div. I Campbell University following her sophomore season. While at North Idaho, she earned NJCAA Academic All-America and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American Scholar Athlete honors in 2000 and 2001.
At Campbell, Smith started 100 out of 112 games and was voted team captain in 2003. Smith received Presidential and Intercollegiate Scholar honors from 2001-2002 and made the Atlantic Sun All-Academic Team in 2002 and 2003. She also earned the Coaches Award in 2003.
Smith graduated from Campbell University in 2003 with a bachelor's of science in physical education. She later earned her masters of science in adult education and organizational learning from the University of Idaho in 2005.
--
For the latest on Columbia softball, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@CULionsSoftball), on Facebook (Facebook.com/CULionsSoftball), or by visiting GoColumbiaLions.com.
Highlights: SOFT | Columbia vs. Brown
Friday, May 09
Highlights: SOFT | Columbia vs. Harvard
Thursday, May 08
Highlights: SOFT | Columbia at Harvard
Friday, March 28
Highlights: SOFT | Columbia 4, Yale 0
Saturday, April 27
