GLASSBORO–Two-time Olympic gold medalist softball pitcher Michele Smith spoke to the Rowan University community on January 20.  The presentation was held at the University’s Esbjornson Gymnasium. Smith conducted pitching, catching and batting demonstrations. In addition, she covered issues involving conditioning and wellness and touched upon her experiences as an international softball player. 

Smith won gold medals pitching for the United States at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA and again in 2000 in Sydney, Australia. In 1996, she went 2-0 with a 1.50 earned run average in 14 innings. She also hit .211 with three runs scored, two RBIs and a double. Smith did not allow an earned run in Sydney.  She struck out 37 hitters in 27.2 innings and threw a 14 inning two-hitter against China. 

In 2006, Smith was inducted into the American Softball Association of America Softball Hall of Fame.  She played professionally in the Japanese Softball League. During that time, Smith was a seven-time Japanese Pro League Champion and earned Most Valuable Player honors. In 1998, she was inducted into the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Hall of Fame.