Calhoun High School’s softball head coach was honored recently for her playing days by USSSA. Georgia United States Specialty Sports Association Slowpitch Softball Hall of Fame recognized Coach Smith for being the first female player “Legend.” She was inducted as a player into the Georgia ASA Softball Hall of Fame in 2001 and into the USSSA Softball Hall of Fame last week.

For 25 years, Smith played softball for various traveling tourney teams. She started her career at age 11 and retired playing the sport at the age of 38.

Among her many honors and awards include being named to 43 All-tourney teams, being named Most Valuable Play in 27 tournaments, playing in numerous district, state and regional championships and being named to the All-Georgia Team in her last year of competition.

She played in 16 national tournaments, in the NSA National Championship and she was named to All-State and All-Regional teams. Calhouns Recreational Department lists Coach Smith as having the highest batting average 14 times, she led in home runs 12 times and won the league championship every year including district and state titles. Diane Smith was also the first female athlete from Calhoun to receive an athletic scholarship. Calhoun City Schools is blessed to have Coach Smith’s dedication to her students. She helps make them successful inside and outside the classroom. For a copy of the complete article written about Coach Smith’s induction into the Hall of Fame, see the Calhoun Times Saturday, October 31, 2009 edition.