In November 2021, culminating a more than 30-year career of achievements and awards, Rodney Smith ’89/G’03 was inducted into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Recognized for his athletic prowess and community leadership, Rodney received the Outstanding American Award. 

“His influence and impact as a leader extend far beyond winning matches and earning trophies,” said the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “His desire is to give back to both his country and local community. Legacy can be seen and heard across generations; from his former coaches, teammates, and comrades, to his current students and wrestlers. Rodney Smith truly embodies what it means to be an outstanding American.” 

Greatly humbled by these honors, Rodney reflected on his journey from athlete, to coach, to teacher, and his continuing role as a community impact maker. “The embodiment of your body of work coming to a point, you can say to yourself ‘wow, somebody appreciates what I do,’” he said. “I know I work really hard, and this award meant everything. It makes me want to do more.” 

An Olympic Dream

A lifelong athlete with youthful dreams of becoming a professional football player or an Olympian, Rodney earned early athletic success growing up in Springfield, MA, playing football and wrestling.

Shortly after high school, he made a decision that would ultimately change the trajectory of his life: he enlisted in the Marines, a decision and commitment that inadvertently put him on an unexpected path to achieve his Olympic dreams, just not on any roads he had ever traveled or expected to travel. 

As Smith was gearing up to begin his service with the Marines, he was recruited to play football at WNE and his obligation to the Marines was halted before it began. He was permitted to defer his service to pursue his education and athletics at WNE, with the caveat that he had to graduate and then return to the Armed Forces to fulfill his obligation. 

Golden Moments as a Golden Bear Scholar Athlete

“As I grew with the culture of WNE, I learned to involve myself,” he said.

In addition to wrestling, Rodney became involved with the campus community including as a disc jockey with the WNEK radio station, where he was known as DJ Rod Melody; as a student senator; and as the elected representative on the WNE Board of Trustees. 

“What changed my life, in how I defined myself as an athlete, was after sophomore year, when I realized that I could be a scholar athlete” he said. 

With restructured priorities, Rodney started having great success on the mat and that youthful dream of going to the Olympics started to become less of a dream and more of a true possibility. By his junior year, he was ranked third in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Wrestling across all divisions. 

“I just became a different athlete,” he said. “A lot of cool moments followed that I learned a lot from,” said Rodney. “My mom always said to stick with it until you get to the end of the story.” 

Military Service and an Olympic Journey

Following the conclusion of his college wrestling career and earning his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at WNE, Rodney’s focus was redirected to his commitment to military service. While gearing up to deploy for Desert Storm, General Norman Schwarzkopf tasked him with the mission “to keep the health and welfare of our troops and maintain morale through the Health and Welfare Tour.” 

This opportunity set the wheels in motion for Rodney’s collective 10 years of service with the U.S. Army, beginning with the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), which allows top-ranked soldier-athletes, selected for their ability to perform at the highest level of their sports, to perform at the international level while also serving their nation in the military. 

Life Lessons and a Legacy of Community Impact

Following his journey to the Olympics and his career in the U.S. Army, Rodney returned to New England to continue his commitment to service and community by becoming a coach, mentor, and teacher to countless aspiring wrestlers and students. He has impacted a number of college and youth wrestling programs including WNE, Northeast Elite Wrestling, and New Fairfield High School. 

“I’ve had a lot of love in my life,” he said. “A lot of kids need love and to know that people love them.” 

Learn more about Rodney and his induction into the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame at alumni.wne.edu/rodneysmith. 

Interested in learning more about the success stories of Rodney and fellow Golden Bear alumni? Explore alumni.wne.edu/alumni-in-the-news to read about Golden Bears making headlines regionally, nationally, and worldwide.