Broken Arrow Public Schools has announced the hiring of Dr. Dustin Smith as the district’s new executive director of athletics. Smith comes to Broken Arrow after an impressive seven-year stint as director of athletics at Greenwood Public Schools in Arkansas, where eleven different Bulldog programs captured twenty-two state championships since 2016.

“I am beyond humbled and honored to be selected to work with the phenomenal people that make up BA athletics,” Smith said. “My family and I look forward to embracing what it means to be a Tiger, and look forward to serving the student-athletes, coaches, staff, school and community of Broken Arrow.”

Dr. Smith currently serves as president-elect of the Arkansas High School Athletic Administrators Association and was recently elected to serve on the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Board of Directors as the At-Large A member. In 2022, he was named as an Emerging Industry Leader for Interscholastic Athletics by the National Center for Spectator Sport Safety and Security.

“I am fortunate to have worked with a wide variety of people across this country, and the world, who share the passion I have for education-based athletics,” Smith said. “These two organizations make up the best of the best in our profession and serve as both mentors and resources for me to enhance the things we are doing and will do at BA. Because of these organizations, we are going to be aware of the ever-changing landscape of education-based athletics and will use these resources to strengthen all we will do at BA.”

Prior to becoming the Director of Athletics at Greenwood, Dr. Smith served as the Athletic Director for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith from 2007-2016. During his tenure as athletic director, Smith led the university’s successful transition from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II ranks; becoming only the second college to make the transition. He was then appointed to the NCAA Division II membership committee. During his time as athletic director, the Lions captured nine conference championships, two regional championships, back-to-back appearances in the Volleyball Elite 8, and a berth in the Division II volleyball Final Four.

“We have experienced success, but I don’t take credit for any of it personally. It has been an investment of time and a willingness to serve others,” Smith said. “I subscribe whole-heartedly to the saying that I serve so others can shine. Any successes I have had have been as a direct result of a team-first approach. I look forward to serving the coaches and student-athletes as BA so they can shine.”

A native of Pawhuska, Okla., Smith attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University on a baseball scholarship before a shoulder injury ended his career as a player. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degrees in mass communication and physical education. He went on to earn a master’s degree in sports administration from East Central University and a doctorate in education from the University of Arkansas. In 2019, he earned the designation of Certified Master Athletic Administrator through the NIAAA. Smith is married to wife Jennifer, they have three children – Alec, Riglee, and Raelynn – and a daughter-in-law named Kirby.

Broken Arrow Athletics has amassed 71 total state championships in its history, including 13 titles in the last five years.

“We are excited to welcome Dustin and his beautiful family to Broken Arrow,” said Steve Dunn, assistant superintendent of Broken Arrow Public Schools. “Dr. Smith’s vision for Broken Arrow Athletics, coupled with his commitment to excellence, will undoubtedly benefit our student-athletes, coaches, and school community as we continue to build champions for life.”