It's always a thrill for me to learn that a local boy has made the top ranks of college athletics.

Just this past week , William “Bill” Smith, a former outstanding athlete at Auburn High School, was appointed director of athletics at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I.

Smith is currently the senior associate athletic director at Iowa State University. He has been affiliated with ISU for the past nine years.

Bill graduated from AHS in 1984. He played and was captain of football, lacrosse and hockey teams. He was also president of his senior class.

He later went to Deerfield Academy in Deerfield, Mass. where he also played the three sports. After two years at the well known prep school, Smith entered Colgate University where he graduated in1990 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He played varsity football and lacrosse for the Red Raiders and was presented the Tom Dodge Award in 1998 for exemplifying outstanding effort, determination and performance.

Smith earned his law degree from Quinnipiac College of Law in 1995. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1996.

Prior to joining the Iowa State staff, Smith served as executive associate director for compliance and championships in the Patriot League for a year.

His first coaching position was assistant football coach at Wagner College from 1990-1992.

Bill also served as student-athlete advisor / compliance coordinator at Wagner 1995-1997.

Smith's first season at ISU, he was compliance director. He was promoted to associate athletic director in 2002 and served until 2005. Last year, he was named to his current position, senior athletic director.

While serving as Compliance coordinator at ISU, Smith was appointed chairman of the Big 12 Conference group. During that time, he was also a member of the university's steering committee for NCAA Certification.

Breadth and depth of experience set Bill apart for a strong pool of 60 candidates, which is why the former Auburn athlete became the new AD at Byrant U.

Bryant president Ronald K. Machtley, who introduced Smith at a press conference, said, “Everybody we talked to, from league commissioners to former coaches to current coaches, said this guy is unbelievably good. He has the full package.”

Smith succeeds Dan Gavitt, who resigned last August to direct the men's basketball operations for the Big East. Bill will take over for the interim director, John Ruppert, in June but plans to spend some time on campus next month to begin the transition.

He will direct a program that includes 20 varsity sports that compete at the Division II level.

Bill is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren (Bud) Smith of Burtis Point Road. The Smiths spend their winters in Florida.

Bill and his wife Maura have three children: Molly, Liam and Daniel. I talked to Smith this past week and he told me he will officially begin his duties at Byrant U. in early May.