Phone: 814-934-7221 | Email: srs44@psu.edu
One of the premiere goalkeeper coaches in the nation, Stuart Smith enters his 11th season on staff with the Penn State field hockey team, serving his ninth year as assistant coach after being promoted following the 2011 season. Smith, a former goalkeeper, specializes in game analysis and field player and goalkeeper coaching. He also serves as technical director.
He helped prepare the U.S. National team goalkeepers for the 2014 World Cup held in The Hague, Netherlands. In 2018, he coached goalkeepers for the U.S. National Team and the U.S. Developmental Squad.
The Nittany Lions have seen tremendous success during his tenure with the team, reaching the NCAA Tournament seven of eight seasons and advancing to the quarterfinals four times, while also claiming the Big Ten regular-season title three times and the Big Ten Tournament four times.
Under his tutelage, Penn State’s goalkeepers have been among the best in the nation and Big Ten Conference, garnering first-team All-Big Ten honors in three of his seven seasons. Ayla Halus led the nation in save percentage in 2010 and was a two-time second-team NFHCA All-American and two-time first-team All-Big Ten honoree. Kylie Licata was named first-team All-Big Ten in her first season as a starter in 2013 and was second in the country in save percentage in 2014. Brie Barraco was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the 2019 Young Women’s National Championship.
Smith has become very involved with the USA Field Hockey program, as well. He has coached at Nationals for the Futures field hockey program in Virginia Beach in 2010 and 2013 and also as an assistant with the Futures elite program in 2012.
Smith’s hockey career spans over 20 years to date. He started as a young player, advancing to compete at the state and national level in Australia. He has represented his region of the Central Coast as well as his state of New South Wales. He has competed with players of the Australian National Team as well as players of other national teams. For his sporting and community achievements, Smith was rewarded with the opportunity to run the Olympic Torch in the 2000 Olympic Games held in Sydney.
A native of Wamberal, New South Wales, Australia, Smith came to the United States as part of an International Exchange Program. He enrolled in the prestigious Ohio State International Turf Grass Management Program where he graduated in 2008.
Smith enjoyed four years working at The Breakers, Palm Beach in Florida, where he was an assistant golf course superintendent of The Breakers, Rees Jones and Ocean Courses.
Stuart married Lauren Burke (Smith) in December of 2018. They reside in State College. Lauren is the team’s director of operations.