Brad Smith (2022) - Hall of Fame - University of Toledo Athletics

Brad Smith

Induction:
2022
Class:
1978

Brad Smith was a top wrestler for the Rockets from 1975-78, earning All-America honors in 1976 and winning a MAC Championship title at 142 pounds as a junior in 1977. As a freshman, he placed third at the MAC Championship Meet and entered the 1975 NCAA Championships ranked No. 6 in the country. He won his first two matches but dislocated his shoulder in the third match against Indiana University and was forced to withdraw from the tournament. In 1976, Smith came in second at the MACs and went on to finish in fourth place at the 1976 NCAA Championships. He wrestled against Gene Costello, the second-place finalist from Slippery Rock, in the semifinals, falling in triple overtime on a referee decision. He wrestled back against Lehigh and Oklahoma State to achieve All-America status that season. After his collegiate wrestling career, Smith wrestled for Team USA and toured the USSR, the first time an American team was allowed to do so. He coached for 30 years in Royal Oak, Trenton, and Farmington schools in Michigan. He has coached five state champions and multiple place winners through the years.