June 23, 2005

HEMPSTEAD, New York -- Hofstra University Head Women's Basketball Coach Felisha Legette-Jack today announced the addition of for UMass men's basketball player Winston Smith to the position of assistant women's basketball coach, effective immediately. Smith replaces Carlton Oliver who departed earlier this month for a similar position at Pepperdine University. Smith will return to the Mullins Center when the UMass women's basketball team hosts Hofstra Dec. 1.

"I am excited that Winston will be joining our staff here at Hofstra University. We feel that each year this program moves a step closer to achieving our goals and Winston will add to our commitment to become a championship caliber team," stated Legette-Jack. "Coach Smith will bring an abundance of energy and enthusiasm with him. Winston was a student-athlete at the highest level and knows what it takes to get to the NCAA Tournament. In addition, he has played and worked under some very talented coaches in his career. I are certain that he will be a wonderful addition to our Hofstra family."

Smith makes the move to women's basketball coaching after spending the past four years on the men's basketball side. Since 2003 Smith has worked as an assistant coach at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. While a member of the Penguins staff, Smith coordinated the film exchange program, and assisted with the recruitment of student-athletes and scouting reports. Smith also served as the academic advisor for the team in addition to monitoring player development and helping in game preparation.

No stranger to the metropolitan area, Smith worked at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey from 2001-2003. During his tenure at Fairleigh Dickinson, Smith worked for a season as the assistant director of basketball operations before being promoted to an assistant coach. During his time with the Knights, Smith served as the camp director for the Fairleigh Dickinson Basketball Camps and oversaw film exchange, which included editing and breaking down opponents game tape. Smith also monitored academic progress of the student-athletes and was involved in many other aspects of running a successful Division I basketball program.

A four-year letterwinner and a 2001 graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Smith played under James "Bruiser" Flint while a member of the Minutemen squad. The 2001 team captain, Smith was a part of two NCAA Tournament teams (1997, 1998) and one team that earned an NIT bid (2000). He was the recipient of the Top Defender Award and the Mr. Hustle Award in 1997 and 2001 and was a two-time selection to the Student-Athlete Academic Council.

"Winston was a great kid at UMass and should do an outstanding job at Hofstra. He is a really good teacher and works really well with the players," commented current Drexel University and former Massachusetts men's basketball coach Bruiser Flint.