Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Smith, Daniel E.
Daniel E. Smith
- Induction:
- 2012
- Class:
- 1971
A native Nyack, New York, Dan Smith was a midfielder on the lacrosse team at Lehigh University during a very successful period for the sport. Remarkably, the first lacrosse game he ever witnessed was one in which he played. During Smith's three varsity seasons, the Brown and White amassed a 26-12 record. Smith was also a member of Lehigh’s swimming and diving team and was active on campus, serving as vice president and treasurer for the class of 1971 as well as a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
Smith graduated from Lehigh in 1971 with a degree in industrial engineering and went on to serve as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Following his service in the Navy, Smith began postgraduate studies at Harvard where he earned his MBA in 1976.
In business, Smith's career has been distinguished by leadership positions at a number of high-technology companies in the telecommunications industry. These include two companies that Smith helped found and where he served as President and CEO, including his present company Sycamore Networks, a market leader in optical networking. Widely regarded as one of the top leaders in his industry, Smith has been recognized by Forbes Magazine, Ernst & Young LLP, and the Massachusetts Telecommunications Council for his leadership skills and business accomplishments in the networking space.
Smith has served on the Board of Trustees at Lehigh University and served as Chair. He is now a Trustee Emeritus. In addition to gifts in support of Lehigh’s academic and research mission, Smith has provided leadership and financial support for the Smith Family Chair in men's lacrosse as well as several athletic facilities projects. He has also been a valued contributor to the annual Athletics Partnership fund.
“Dan Smith represents everything that is great about Lehigh University and Lehigh Athletics,” said Kevin Cassese, Lehigh’s Smith Family head lacrosse coach. “He is incredibly supportive, highly competitive and always humble. His tireless work and dedication to increasing the visibility of the long-standing traditions of excellence and achievement at this outstanding institution are appreciated by all who are linked by the common bond of the Brown and White.”
“Lehigh’s academic and athletic missions have always been important to me,” Smith said. “My reasons for giving back are founded on the positive experiences I had at Lehigh and a desire to assist others in the opportunity to enjoy similar experiences.”
More importantly, Smith has provided credible and transformational leadership in his board role regarding the stability of the Patriot League, the evolution of merit aid for scholar athletes at Lehigh, and the level of appreciation for the educational role of coaches and support personnel in athletics in the development of leaders. Smith's belief in the importance of supporting outstanding people as the foundation of a quality organization has influenced both the University and the stability of the Lehigh Athletics staff.
“Lehigh has always been characterized as an institution that thrives on competition,” Smith said. “We compete globally and nationally and academics, of course, but also in athletics. In both cases, Lehigh’s competitive success depends heavily on the strength of its people. My efforts have been, and will continue to be, focused on supporting Lehigh in competing as strongly as possible in these areas.
“Lehigh’s overall mission is to develop leaders who will make a difference in the world,” Smith continued. “We accomplish this through the strengths of our academic and athletic programs. The University's athletic mission of training outstanding leaders is tightly linked with our academic mission. We are blessed to have coaches and administrators who understand the importance of this mission and work tirelessly to make Lehigh as strong as it can be.”
Smith has made enduring contributions to Lehigh University and Lehigh Athletics through his vision, ambition, confidence and optimism. He has led by example and through highly credible influence. His preference would be to shun the spotlight and instead render his leadership and support in obscurity. Yet his impact on people, on Lehigh’s competitive aspirations, and in the example of his conduct warrant the recognition and appreciation associated with Hall of Fame election.
“I am humbled, appreciative, and deeply honored to be included in this year's class,” Smith said.
Smith and his wife Elizabeth Riley have two children, Emily and Daniel III.
Smith graduated from Lehigh in 1971 with a degree in industrial engineering and went on to serve as an officer in the U.S. Navy. Following his service in the Navy, Smith began postgraduate studies at Harvard where he earned his MBA in 1976.
In business, Smith's career has been distinguished by leadership positions at a number of high-technology companies in the telecommunications industry. These include two companies that Smith helped found and where he served as President and CEO, including his present company Sycamore Networks, a market leader in optical networking. Widely regarded as one of the top leaders in his industry, Smith has been recognized by Forbes Magazine, Ernst & Young LLP, and the Massachusetts Telecommunications Council for his leadership skills and business accomplishments in the networking space.
Smith has served on the Board of Trustees at Lehigh University and served as Chair. He is now a Trustee Emeritus. In addition to gifts in support of Lehigh’s academic and research mission, Smith has provided leadership and financial support for the Smith Family Chair in men's lacrosse as well as several athletic facilities projects. He has also been a valued contributor to the annual Athletics Partnership fund.
“Dan Smith represents everything that is great about Lehigh University and Lehigh Athletics,” said Kevin Cassese, Lehigh’s Smith Family head lacrosse coach. “He is incredibly supportive, highly competitive and always humble. His tireless work and dedication to increasing the visibility of the long-standing traditions of excellence and achievement at this outstanding institution are appreciated by all who are linked by the common bond of the Brown and White.”
“Lehigh’s academic and athletic missions have always been important to me,” Smith said. “My reasons for giving back are founded on the positive experiences I had at Lehigh and a desire to assist others in the opportunity to enjoy similar experiences.”
More importantly, Smith has provided credible and transformational leadership in his board role regarding the stability of the Patriot League, the evolution of merit aid for scholar athletes at Lehigh, and the level of appreciation for the educational role of coaches and support personnel in athletics in the development of leaders. Smith's belief in the importance of supporting outstanding people as the foundation of a quality organization has influenced both the University and the stability of the Lehigh Athletics staff.
“Lehigh has always been characterized as an institution that thrives on competition,” Smith said. “We compete globally and nationally and academics, of course, but also in athletics. In both cases, Lehigh’s competitive success depends heavily on the strength of its people. My efforts have been, and will continue to be, focused on supporting Lehigh in competing as strongly as possible in these areas.
“Lehigh’s overall mission is to develop leaders who will make a difference in the world,” Smith continued. “We accomplish this through the strengths of our academic and athletic programs. The University's athletic mission of training outstanding leaders is tightly linked with our academic mission. We are blessed to have coaches and administrators who understand the importance of this mission and work tirelessly to make Lehigh as strong as it can be.”
Smith has made enduring contributions to Lehigh University and Lehigh Athletics through his vision, ambition, confidence and optimism. He has led by example and through highly credible influence. His preference would be to shun the spotlight and instead render his leadership and support in obscurity. Yet his impact on people, on Lehigh’s competitive aspirations, and in the example of his conduct warrant the recognition and appreciation associated with Hall of Fame election.
“I am humbled, appreciative, and deeply honored to be included in this year's class,” Smith said.
Smith and his wife Elizabeth Riley have two children, Emily and Daniel III.
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