Lauren Smith completed her second season as assistant coach for Academy of Art University track & field and cross country in 2013.
In 2012-13, their first year eligible for the post-season, Urban Knights, Coach Ryan, and his coaching staff did something no NCAA DII program has ever done: Win two NCAA Division II Championships. Academy of Art produced 32 NCAA All-Americans across the indoor and outdoor campaigns and the Knights achieved a total of 42 new program records (15 indoor, 27 outdoor) that season, including a historic weekend at the 2013 Drake Relays that saw the ART U women's team
tie the NCAA record in the 4x100m shuttle hurdles (52.50) and
break the Drake Relays record in the 4x100m (44.19).
Working with head coach Charles Ryan in 2011-12, Smith helped ART U to a season highlighted by a historic first meet at Boise State and many elite performances including an Urban Knight, Vashti Thomas, in the
U.S. Olympic Trials and
USA Track & Field Indoor National Championships. The ART U men's and women's track & field teams combined to set a grand total of 39 new program records (21 in indoor, 18 in outdoor) that season.
Originally from New Jersey, Smith attended the University of Houston where she graduated with honors with a Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology (the science of human movement) with a focus in Exercise Science. Her minor is in Nutrition and Business Administration. Lauren, having a passion for health and wellness, has 11 years of experience with personal training, group exercise, and pilates.
No stranger to the fitness and athletic world, Lauren has been active from a very young age. She participated and competed in dance, volleyball, softball and track (her most prestigious sport). Lauren graduated from Langham Creek High School in Houston, TX, where she was Texas 5A State Track and Field Champion in 100-meter hurdles and finished second in the 300-meter hurdles. She was a four-year track & field athlete and Team Captain at the University of Houston. Smith is an USA Junior All-American, Conference USA Indoor Champion (200m- 2001; 60m hurdles- 2003), Conference USA Outdoor Champion (100m hurdles- 2001, 4x4- 2001;2002), and University of Houston MVP. Lauren qualified and was a semi-finalist in the USA Championships as well as the Olympic Trials. She was also a finalist at the USA Indoor Championship. She currently competes nationally and internationally as a representative of the USA Track and Field Team.
Smith will serve as a recruiting coordinator for the Urban Knights, while also assisting head coach Charles Ryan with the development of the sprint/jump/hurdle/relay athletes and events.
