Hall of Fame
Sterling Smith is originally from Trinidad and Tabago, and he came to Young Harris College on a soccer scholarship.
Smith played men's soccer for the Mountain Lions from 1995-1997. His play and leadership were key in YHC's rise to a perennial national top-20 program in the National Junior College Athletic Association. Smith had 36 career goals in his two seasons as a Mountain Lion. In 1995, his freshman year, Smith was YHC's leading scorer and was named to the NJCAA Division I All-America first team, becoming the first YHC men's soccer All-American. That year, he was also named All-Region, All-South, and All-Tournament. His sophomore year, he was named All-South, All-Region, and All-Tournament. He was the leading goal scorer in his two years at YHC.
Smith studied recreation and leisure studies at YHC and went on to graduate from Southern Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure studies. He continued his soccer career with the SCSU Owls. In two seasons with the Owls, Smith played in two final fours, and the team was ranked #1 for most of his time at the institution. The team went 41-3-2. SCSU finished as national semifinalists in 1997 before capturing the 1998 NCAA Division II National Championship in Smith’s senior year, with a 1-0 decision over the University of South Carolina-Spartanburg (now USC Upstate).
Smith now resides in West Haven, Connecticut. He works for the State of Connecticut at Southern Connecticut State University as Supervisor for the University Facilities Operations Department. He is a youth soccer coach for Orange Soccer Club, and he coaches the Olympic Development Program for the state of Connecticut. He also helps coach for TOP soccer, also known as The Outreach Program for Soccer, a community-based training and team placement program for young athletes with different abilities.
Smith has a son, Brent McDermott-Smith.
