New Prairie High School

Thom Smith graduated from Manchester High School in 1974, where he ran track and cross country for fellow Hall of Famer Richard “Dick” Miller.

After graduating from Ball State University in 1978, he started his teaching and coaching career at New Prairie Schools.  He began his career at the junior high school, where he was the assistant cross country coach to another fellow Hall of Famer, Doug Snyder, head boys and girls track and cross country.  He ultimately dedicated 43 amazing years to education and coaching at New Prairie before his retirement.

As a coach, Thom was involved in IATCCC meetings for many years.  He was the first head coach of the Indiana Mid-East boys and girls cross country team from 1986-1989.  He helped coach Carol Gray, the 1984 and 1985 girls state cross country champion,  Mike McClaran, the 1988 and 1989 boys state cross country runner-up, the 1994 boys cross country state team runner-up and coached Amanda Van Wanzeele to her victory in the 2000 girls state cross country finals.  Under Thom’s guidance, 51 athletes reached the state track finals and 25 girls were state cross country finalists.  Thom’s track teams earned 21 conference championships.  The girls cross country teams earned 20 conference championships, four sectional championships, two sixth place state finals team finishes and one tenth place state finals finish.  Thom is very proud to have coached four athletes that achieved first team Academic All-State and 11 attained honorable mention.

In 2007 and 2008, Thom was selected Boys Track and Field Coach of the Year, and in 2000 was selected Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year,

Thom was fortunate to be associated with many great mentors, colleagues, coaches and track and cross country families who have contributed greatly to the New Prairie program’s success. The famed New Prairie cross country course has been named after Thom and fellow coach Doug Snyder.