Jan. 9, 2008

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Mr. Smith's grandson, Jason Smith, is the first recipient of the Thomas L. Smith Memorial Scholarship. Jason played on the baseball team at USC Upstate for four years and always exhibited the qualities this award epitomizes. During his four years on campus, Jason showed tremendous work ethic both in and out of the classroom. He worked hard to improve his baseball skills and developed into a quality baseball player.

After a freshman year in which he played sparingly, Jason played in a career high 45 games as a sophomore. As a designated hitter and part-time outfielder he started the great majority of games played his final three seasons in Spartanburg. Ultimately, through commitment and hard work, Jason evolved into one of the leaders on the team. The USC Upstate Baseball Program is proud to award Jason Smith with the first Thomas L. Smith Scholarship.

Smith recorded his first collegiate hit against Limestone in 2001. He played in a career-high 45 games in 2002, finishing sixth on the team with a .322 batting average. He had a four-hit, three-RBI game against Mars Hill and drove in three runs versus West Virginia State that season. As a junior, he played in 33 games. He recorded three hits against Erskine and had two hits and an RBI against both West Virginia Tech and Augusta State. He also had a solid two-hit effort against Kennesaw State. As a senior, he finished fifth on the team with a .282 batting average. He tallied four hits and two RBI against Mars Hill and had a season-high three RBI against Coker. He also had two hits and two RBI against North Florida.

Jason Smith Career Statistics
Year	Avg	GP	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI
2001	.077	7	13	2	1	0	0	0	0
2002	.322	45	143	25	46	12	1	1	30
2003	.236	33	89	15	21	6	0	0	6
2004	.282	38	124	17	35	9	2	0	14
TOTAL	.279	123	369	59	103	27	3	1	50