University of North Texas Athletics

C. Dan Smith is one of the most influential figures in the history of University of North Texas Athletics. As a student-athlete, administrator, philanthropist and overall ambassador, Smith's legacy of contribution is felt across the university - in athletics, academics and the arts.

He was a football letterwinner from 1959 to 1961, where he developed a loyalty to North Texas that has lasted more than 50 years. He was a member of the 1959 Missouri Valley Conference championship team, helping his squad to a 9-1 regular-season record and a berth in the Sun Bowl.  Smith played fullback in a backfield with Hall of Famer Abner Haynes in 1959 before missing most of the 1960 season with an injury. He returned as a fullback in 1961 to help two North Texas halfbacks, Bobby Smith and Billy Christle, earn first team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors.

He earned his bachelor degree in business administration in 1962.

Smith has been an active member of the Geezle Fraternity, a social organization of former North Texas students that began in the 1930s whose mission was and continues to be the support and promotion of North Texas athletics. In 1995, Smith was recognized for his strong support of North Texas Athletics by being presented with the Green Glory Award.

In 2001, the university honored Smith with its most prestigious alumni accolade, the Distinguished Alumnus Award. With a history of financial contribution to the university that spans more than 30 years, Smith has been at the forefront of capital campaign projects that helped develop the entire Mean Green Village into a state-of-the-art training, academic and competition facilities. His major gift for the Hall of Fame area allowed Smith to bestow naming rights for the facility after his former teammate Terry Don Parks.

After becoming a successful businessman and entrepreneur Smith was appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to the North Texas System Board of Regents in 2002. He served in that leadership role until 2011, acting as the chairman of the board his last two years.