Cochran, GA - Middle Georgia State University has announced that Director of Athletics and Wellness Chip Smith will retire from his position at the end of this academic year. Smith has worked in intercollegiate athletics for 38 years.

"My involvement in college athletics has been an incredible opportunity.  I am proud of the accomplishments of so many student-athletes over the years, both during their college careers and as graduates. I have also enjoyed our work at MGA. We have built a strong foundation for Knights Athletics and I am excited about what the future here holds".

Smith brought more than three decades of college administrative experience to Middle Georgia State in 2017 as the institution began its third year as a four-year athletic program and member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. During his tenure, MGA Athletics has seen the renovations of the volleyball and tennis facilities, the creation of soccer practice fields, numerous other facility improvements, and an increased emphasis on fundraising and athletic branding.  In 2018 under his leadership, MGA partnered with the Macon community to serve as a host institution for the NAIA National Baseball Tournament for the first time. He also worked to develop the school's cross country facility, the Georgia Premier Cross County Course, into one the finest in the region. It has served as the host site for numerous high school, intercollegiate, and community events.

Academics were at the core of Smith's philosophy. While at MGA, Knights student-athletes collectively surpassed the 3.0 GPA mark and have continued that excellence. Numerous team members have been named to Southern States Athletic Conference and NAIA All-Academic lists, as well as the CoSIDA All-Academic Team.

MGA student–athletes have earned numerous Player of the Year honors during this time. MGA teams have finished their seasons nationally ranked fourteen times and are regular participants in the NAIA National Championships in multiple sports.

Before arriving at MGA, Smith held the position of Director of Athletics at Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University (KY) and Western Carolina University. He served on various committees and was the chair of the NCAA Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Committee. The University of North Carolina graduate holds a Bachelor's degree in Education and a Master's degree in Physical Education from the school and was named as a Distinguished Alumnus by the university's Department of Exercise and Sport Science.

Jason Williams, our current Associate Athletic Director, will serve as interim director while MGA conducts a search for Smith's replacement.