Brigit McDannell ’18
Sports Editor
Kristin Hughes, director of athletics for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, has been appointed as Smith’s new director of athletics and recreation, effective July 21. She succeeds Lynn Oberbillig, who has been athletic director at Smith since 1993. Oberbillig will transition to the college’s exercise and sports studies (ESS) department as a full-time lecturer in July.
At her previous position, Hughes supervised the operation of 27 athletic teams and 75 coaches. Prior to her work at Cleveland Heights, Hughes was the head women’s basketball coach at Colgate University. At Case Western University, Hughes also served as the head women’s basketball coach, interim director of athletics, assistant director of athletics and primary women’s athletics administrator.
“I am extremely excited to become a part of the Smith College community,” Hughes said. “My coaching career began at Smith, so to come full circle and return to campus as the athletic director is truly rewarding.”
“Kristin brings tremendous breadth of experience, having served as an athletic administrator and coach in several NCAA divisions, as well as in a large urban public school system,” said Donna Lisker, Smith’s dean of the college. “She impressed all members of the Smith community, and all of them said that she’s exactly the right person to take Smith athletics to the next level. She will build on the legacy of excellence, and we’re particularly happy to bring back one of our own ESS graduates.”
Hughes received a bachelor’s degree in biology and secondary education from Elms College in Chicopee, Mass. before earning her master’s of science degree in exercise and sports studies at Smith.
