Gene Smith named Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree for ‘Who’s Who In Black Columbus’

Gene Smith, Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director, The Ohio State University, has been named the Who’s ‘Who In Black Columbus’ 18th edition’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Smith will be honored during the edition’s networking reception and book reveal on Nov. 21, 2024, at The Ohio State University’s Archie Griffin Ballroom.

“Our team at ‘Who’s Who In Black Columbus’ is excited to name Gene Smith as our Lifetime Achievement Honoree,” says Dr. Carter D. Womack, Chief Operating Officer, ‘Who’s Who In Black.’ “He is known for his leadership, hard work and commitment for the development and success of others, a true example of Black Excellence.”

Prior to his recent retirement, for 19 seasons, Smith led the nation’s largest and one of the most successful athletic programs. Before coming to Ohio State University, Smith served as athletic director at Arizona State University (2000-2005), Iowa State University (1993-2000), and Eastern Michigan University (1985-1993). With over 38 years as an AD, Smith is widely recognized as a national leader in intercollegiate athletics.

Ohio State Athletics finished third in the 2022-23 Director’s Cup standings, representing the ninth time Ohio State has finished as the No. 1 athletics program in the Big Ten Conference with eight of those top finishes occurring under Smith’s direction. Smith’s philosophy of developing the “total student-athlete” has resulted in academic achievements concurrent with athletic success. In 2022-23 765 OSU Scholar-Athletes, 190 Big Ten Distinguished Scholars, and six Academic All-Americans attest to Ohio State’s commitment to success in the classroom and on the fields of play.

“It is truly an honor to be selected to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from Who’s Who In Black Columbus, an exceptional publication that positively impacts Columbus,” says Smith, the current Board Chair-Elect for the Fiesta Bowl Organization. He will become Board Chair starting in the 2026-27 season.

“It has been a blessing to live and work in Columbus. Serving Buckeye Nation and the City of Columbus was the highlight of my career,” he adds.

Smith was the first two-time recipient of the Sports Business Journal A.D. of the Year (2016 and 2010) award, and has been recognized by Forbes, Sports Illustrated and Black Enterprise as one of the most influential minorities in American sports. He received the John L. TonerAward for outstanding dedication to college athletics, in 2008; has been inducted into the inaugural “Legends Class” NACDA Hall of Fame in 2008; and honored as Athletic Administrator of the Year by the Black Coaches Association in 2007. Gene and his wife, Sheila, have four children: Matt (Chantal), Nicole (Joe), Lindsey (Anita), and Summer (Adrian), and eight grandchildren.

“We look forward to celebrating the life and achievements of the legendary giant,” says Womack.

Since 1989, Who’s Who In Black’s sole focus has been the celebration and elevation of Black culture, Black achievement and Black people. Who’s Who In Black recognizes the deficit of mainstream media’s inclusion of the stories that truly reflect who we are as a people. Who’s Who In Black is a space for our people to network, build and elevate each other to their highest potential. We have touchpoints in over 30 markets, produced nearly 200 custom editions and have garnered the respect of some of the most respected leaders of our generation. From our signature unveiling celebrations to our specialized content and our access to the who’s who in Black America, we are the ultimate networking platform for Black people across every major field of endeavor.