Aug. 10, 2011

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Sarah Smith, an intern in student welfare and development department at Notre Dame since 2009, has been promoted to the position of student welfare and development coordinator.

Smith will be responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing programs within the department and contributing to the areas of academic excellence, athletic success, personal development, community involvement and career preparation and development.

A 2008 Notre Dame graduate with a bachelors degree in theology from the College of Arts and Letters, Smith was a four-year monogram winner with the Irish softball program. After appearing mostly as a pinch runner as a freshman and sophomore, she started 91 games as a junior and senior, playing all three outfield spots. As a senior, she posted a team-high .370 batting average while earning all-BIG EAST and first team all-region honors. The Irish advanced to the NCAA Tournament all four years Smith was a member of the team.

The Oklahoma City, Okla., native earned a master of science in sport and exercise science, with a concentration in sport administration from Northern Colorado in 2009 while also serving as a volunteer assistant coach for the Bears’ softball program.

During her time at Notre Dame, Smith has coordinated and participated in several service projects. Most recently, she delivered supplies and materials collected by Notre Dame student-athletes to assist the recovery efforts in Joplin, Mo., following the May tornado outbreak.

Other programs Smith has piloted include Fighting Irish Fight for Life, in which Irish teams adopt a local child diagnosed with cancer, the Pediatric Christmas Party for hematology/oncology patients at South Bend’s Memorial Hospital and Lifeworks, a program which pairs student-athletes with local fourth graders to help them set educational and life goals. -ND-