Aug. 11, 2000

WACO, Texas - After leading Baylor to the 2000 Big 12 Conference title and three-consecutive NCAA postseason appearances, Head Baseball Coach Steve Smith has signed a contract extension, Athletic Director Tom Stanton announced Friday. No details were available.

Smith, 39, has compiled a 225-130-1 (.633) record in six seasons as Baylor's head coach. Since 1998, Smith's Bear squads have posted a 136-52-1 (.722) record and have won at least 40 games in three-straight seasons for the first time in school history.

A year after posting a school-record 50 wins in 1999, Baylor's 2000 baseball team went 45-17 and claimed its first outright conference title since 1923. For his team's play, Smith was named the 2000 Big 12 Coach of the Year.

"The success of our baseball program, both on and off the field, is the model for all Baylor sports," said Stanton. "Steve Smith has made Baylor a nationally recognized baseball power by recruiting solid student-athletes and teaching them how to compete and be successful.

"This contract extension is a sign of Baylor's commitment to Steve Smith and this baseball program. We plan on Steve continuing as our baseball coach for a very long time."

Under Smith, a 1986 Baylor graduate and former letterman, Baylor has produced seven All-Americans, five Academic All-Americans, one Academic All-American of the Year, 18 first-team all-conference performers, three Freshman All-Americans and two conference Players of the Year.

"I appreciate the faith and commitment that Baylor University has shown towards me," said Smith. "Waco is a town my family enjoys living in, and Baylor is the kind of place where you can win championships. Those were two important factors in me signing this extension.

"The thing I most appreciate is the commitment our fans have made to our program. I've had a chance to visit with a number of Baylor people around the state of Texas and the pride they have in our baseball program is very special to me."