Jay Smithley 

Men's Tennis

Year: 2019

Inducted: February 9, 2019

Graduating Class of 1987

Jay Smithley was the No. 1 singles player for four years at Marion College. Outside of national championship play, Smithley compiled an 80-0 record in singles and a 70-5 record in doubles. He was selected All-Mid Central College Conference four times and was a four-time NAIA District champion. Smithley ended his college career ranked No. 21 in the country. Following his time at Marion, Smithley played on the Deaf Tour and ranked No. 2 in the USA and No. 3 in the World and helped USA earn their first Dresse Cup. He won one gold, two silver, and one bronze at the Olympic Games representing the USA.

“Jay is one of the most competitive people I know but one of the defining characteristics of Jay is that he simply loves people. He is always kind, gracious and loving toward others. He had a listening ear (or reads their lips) and would be willing to share a story in order to relate to others.” -- Eddy Shigley, teammate and current IWU tennis head coach