LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Lock Haven University Department of Athletics and Athletic Director Sharon E. Taylor have announced the hiring of Jennifer Smith as the new women’s basketball coach for the Lady Eagles.

“I am extremely excited to be coming to Lock Haven University. This is an incredible new challenge for me and I can't wait to get down to work,” Smith said. “There is a wonderful tradition of excellence in academics and athletics here at LHU.”

“Our top priority this season will be to qualify for the conference playoffs and continue the positive progression this team has made the last few seasons.”

Smith comes to the Haven after most recently serving as head coach for Goldey-Beacom College during the last two seasons.

She is no stranger to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) having enjoyed a standout basketball career at Millersville University.

“Being a Head Coach in the PSAC has been a goal of mine since my playing days ended at Millersville University. I truly believe that the PSAC is one of the strongest and most challenging conferences in Division II,” Smith said. “I am thrilled to be surrounded by such great women's basketball programs and legendary coaches in this conference. It is now time for the Lock Haven women's basketball program to make their mark among these othergreat teams.”

In just two seasons with Goldey-Beacom Smith was able to turn the program around leading them to their most wins in school history last year. The team went 18-11 overall and 14-8 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). The 18 wins marked a school record for overall wins in a single season and the 14 conference wins also marked a single-season high.

From the 2005-06 to 2006-07 seasons she guided the Goldey-Beacom Lightning to the third most improved overall record in all of Division II women’s basketball.

From 2002-04 Smith served as an assistant coach with her alma mater at Millersville.

Smith graduated from Millersville in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in speech communication and an athletic coaching minor. She went on to earn a master’s of education in sports management and administration in 2004.

As a player for the Lady Marauders Smith was a four-year varsity letter winner and holds school records for most games played and most three-pointers made in a game.

Smith earned the 2002 Elwood J. Finley award as top senior female student-athlete at MU, which was selected by the universities varsity head coaches. She was captain of the team in 2002 while earning team MVP and the offensive player award.

Millersville advanced to three NCAA Division II National Tournaments while Smith was on the team and she helped lead the squad to PSAC East titles in 2000 and 2002.

She was also a NCAA D-II track and field All-American in the javelin in 2000.

While at Goldey-Beacom Smith also served as the school’s sports information director and she helps coach at various basketball camps and clinics.