Aggie Park

Monday Lunch | Darnell Smith

Building Champions at Texas A&M - San Antonio

About the Speaker

Darnell Smith is the inaugural director of intercollegiate athletics for Texas A&M University - San Antonio. The program, established by House Bill 1439 and approved August 8, 2019, by A&M University System's Board of Regents, set the stage for creating the first intercollegiate athletics program in South San Antonio. In his role, he is responsible for the oversight of 6 varsity programs and all athletic department operations.

Smith also serves in the President's Extended Cabinet. Smith has been on a mission to build champions athletically, academically, and in the community at Texas A&M - San Antonio. Since his arrival in 2020, Smith has led the Jaguars through the NAIA membership process and launched the varsity sports of softball, men's golf, men's and women's soccer, and men's and women's basketball. Under Smith's leadership the University built its first-ever Recreation Center, opening the facility in August 2024. 

Due to Smith's accomplishments in and out of the department, he was recognized as the Red River Athletics Conference Athletics Director of the Year for the year of 2023-2024. Smith was also recognized for leadership. In 2022, he was honored as a San Antonio Business Journal 40 under 40 and he participated in and graduated from Leadership San Antonio, Class 46. In addition, under Smith's leadership, his athletics department was awarded the Red River Athletics Conference Sportsmanship of the Year Award in the year 2023-2024. As a pillar in the community, Smith was recognized by San Antonio Vida as a Southside Makers & Shakers which celebrates community leaders on the Southside of San Antonio that inspire and positively impact the community.

Monday Lunch