Smith Named Men?s Tennis Associate Head Coach

DURHAM, N.C. - After the completion of his second year as an assistant coach with the Duke men's tennis team, former Blue Devil tennis standout Ramsey Smith has been promoted to associate head coach.

In two seasons on the coaching staff, Smith helped lead the Blue Devils to the 2006 ACC Championship, two NCAA Tournament berths, including a trip to the round of 16 in 2006, and an overall record of 38-17.

"Ramsey has been an incredible addition to our program," said head coach Jay Lapidus. "He has already contributed so much to Duke tennis and this promotion recognizes his efforts. It's exciting to see his development. Ramsey is, and will be, one of the absolute best coaches college tennis will see."

"I am very excited to be named associate head coach," said Smith. "I have had so many great experiences here at Duke, and I look forward to furthering my involvement with this first class program."

A native of Hilton Head, S.C., Smith lettered four seasons at Duke from 1998-2001 and is second all-time at Duke with 119 career singles victories. He helped the Blue Devils to four-year records of 96-11 overall and 32-0 in conference regular season action along with four ACC Championships, four top-10 national rankings and three NCAA Tournament quarterfinal appearances. Smith finished his career with a 119-37 singles record and 103-47 doubles ledger.

Smith was a two-time All-America, three-time All-ACC and two-time ACC Tournament MVP selection. In addition, he was a two-time recipient of the Tennis Magazine/Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award and was named to the ACC's 50th Anniversary Team in 2002. Smith played one year of professional tennis, posting an ATP world ranking of 603 before suffering a career-ending shoulder injury in September of 2002. He reached the semifinals at Futures Tournaments in Malibu, Calif., Chetumal, Mexico, and Little Rock, Ark.

Smith joined the Duke staff after working with the Stan Smith Billy Stearns Tennis Academy, where he had served as a coach, camp organizer and academy secretary since January of 2003. He also spent two summers (2003 & 2004) as a full-time fly fishing guide with Alaska West Sportfishing.

Born September 4, 1978, Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Duke in 2001.

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Smith Named Men?s Tennis Associate Head Coach

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