Director of Athletics Danny Smith Receives

2023 M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award

Courtesy of The Hotchkiss School

Director of Athletics Danny Smith P’18,’20,’24 is the recipient of the 2023 M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award in recognition of his dedication to the education and development of student athletes and athletic program at Hotchkiss.

The Founders League awards the M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award on an annual basis to a coach whose conduct exemplifies the proclamation “play by the rules, accept victory or defeat graciously, respect all who assemble and participate.” It may be awarded in recognition of sportsmanship during a particular contest, throughout a season, or for continued contributions to athletics and the league.

Since arriving at Hotchkiss in the fall of 2000, Smith has been an avid spectator and active participant in the School’s athletic program. He began his career in the admission office and as head coach of the varsity football team. Shortly thereafter, Smith was named co-director of athletics and has been a fixture in the Mars Athletic Center and on the Bearcat sidelines ever since.

“In the 20 years I have worked side by side with Danny, I have been amazed by his ability to be connected to kids in all facets of School life,” said Robin Chandler ’87, former co-director of athletics and 2013 M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship

Award winner. “Danny’s tireless dedication and loyalty to the athletic department, along with his fierce advocacy of our student athletes who are always first in his mind, have been inspirational.”

The M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award was originally given to a member of the Erickson Football League, but eligibility was expanded to other sports after the establishment of the Founders League. Smith has close ties to the origin of the award given his work with the Erickson League as a longtime head coach and commissioner. He was instrumental in leading this group with grace and goodwill during his tenure.

“Danny’s graciousness and genuine interest in others is clear from the moment you first interact with him. He puts his team first and invests great time and care into the development of each of his players both on and off the field,” Head of School Craig Bradley said.

Upon Smith’s retirement as head varsity football coach in 2021, Brian Allen ’19 said, “You are the most genuine and down-to-earth man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. You took a chance on me and changed my life forever by helping me attend Hotchkiss. I came to campus in the fall of 2017 as an overly confident kid who was self-centered and thought he knew everything. By the time I left Hotchkiss I had become a better person who was willing to learn from others and listen and learned to listen before speaking. You made me into someone better. The two years being coached by you made me a better man and that is something I cannot thank you enough for.”

During Smith’s 21-year tenure as head coach, Hotchkiss football won a New England Championship in 2008 and back-to-back Erickson League Championships in 2008 and 2009, as well as one in 2002 in only his second year as head coach. Smith coached three NEPSAC Football Player of the Year recipients: Rob Schaeffer ’01, Alex Amidon ’10, and Derrick Wilson ’11.

“The quality I appreciate most about Danny is the incredible care he takes with developing his players as people—not just athletes,” Chandler added. “He has always been about character development, sportsmanship, and the true value of team and he ranks those well above wins and losses. These are the best lessons our students can learn in life, and they learned them well down on Baker from one of the most genuine men I have ever known.”

The M.D. Nadal Sportsmanship Award was established in 1969 to honor Manuel D. “Bill” Nadal, an outstanding athlete, coach and steadfast supporter of athletics at Kent School. A member of Kent’s Class of 1917, Nadal excelled in football, hockey and baseball, earning a total of 14 letters and serving as captain of the hockey and baseball teams. After serving in World War I, Nadal returned to Kent and coached football, hockey, and baseball for a remarkable 89 seasons as a head coach. At different times during his long career at Kent, Nadal served as assistant to the headmaster and director of athletics. At the time of his death at Kent in 1977, he held the position of Director of Athletics Emeritus.