Lester Smith (2000) - Hall of Fame - Miami University RedHawks

Lester Smith

Induction:
2000
Class:
1969

Smith participated in the pole vault for Miami from 1966-69. As a senior, he captured the MAC pole vault titles with a 16-foot-6-inch effort. In that same year, Smith vaulted to the national titles at the NCAA national indoor pole vault championship. In doing so, he defeated world record-holder and 1968 Olympic champion Bob Seagren of the University of Southern California.

Smith also was victorious at two other major national meets in 1969, claiming wins at the Milwaukee Journal Games and the Washington National Invitational Championships. Additionally, Smith was a member of Miami's 1967 MAC championship track team, which was one of only two Red and White track squads to capture a MAC title in a 14-year span.