Leslie Smith Position: Assistant Coach Experience: 1st Year Alma Mater: SMU, 2005

Leslie Smith is in her first season as the head novice coach and assistant varsity coach for the Golden Hurricane. Off the water, she oversees recruiting, team academics and community service, as well as assisting with other aspects of the program.

Smith, 26, comes to TU after serving as the assistant women's coach at Hobart and William Smith Colleges last season. She coached the walk-on novice squad, assisted in recruiting both on and off campus, developed and implemented the team's weight training program and coordinated team travel.

Prior to her stint at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Smith served as a graduate assistant coach at SMU for two seasons and was an undergraduate assistant for one year. At SMU, Smith coordinated team travel and assisted with boat maintenance.

In 2006, Smith spent the summer as the novice coach at the Boulder Community Rowing Club, and got her start at the Edmonton Rowing Club, where she rowed from 1996-2003, and served as a coach and boathouse manager for one year.

Smith was a three-year letterwinner at SMU, competing primarily in the Varsity 8+. She led her team to a third-place mark at the 2002 San Diego Crew Classic, and was a member of the first crew to represent the Mustangs at the Head of the Charles. Smith also rowed for Iowa's rowing team that finished ninth in the country in the 2000-01 season.

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Smith received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology in 2005 and a master's degree in liberal studies in 2007, both from SMU.

Smith is a member of the CRCA and USRowing, and holds a Canadian Level I Coaching Certificate.