Are we the only ones with soccer still on our minds after the thrilling World Cup Final on Sunday? We didn’t think so. We recently caught up with Gamecock Women’s head soccer coach Shelley Smith to chat about some of her favorite Cola things and the success of this year’s team.
In late November, the Gamecocks wrapped up yet another big year, marking their 18th winning season under Coach Smith and the program’s 10th consecutive with 12+ wins. The team won their third SEC Tournament Title and made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA tournament.
In addition to leading the Gamecocks Women’s Soccer program, Shelley also hosts several camps and clinics at her South Carolina Soccer School. Registration is open for the camps happening in January and February and is open to high school age females looking to get Division I exposure. Check out the other summer camps offered to girls ages 6-13.
Fun fact — City Editor Sam attended Shelley’s camps when she was a kid.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and a few things you want people to know about you.
Shelley Smith, Head Women’s Soccer Coach at the University of South Carolina. I am from Vermont originally so naturally I am an avid skier and I also love real maple syrup and craft beer! My favorite job is being a mom to my two boys. I have a wonderful husband who is also our amazing Women’s Soccer Associate Head Coach. I love to travel and visit new places, especially national parks. I played any sport possible growing up and have enjoyed becoming more of a tennis player since moving to SC. I am now enjoying pickleball too!
Convince a friend to move to Columbia in 15 words or less. Go.
Has everything a big city has to offer, but with fewer crowds and traffic, is close to beaches and mountains, and has four seasons with warm weather.
Tell us something that has you excited about this year’s team.
I was excited to see this group make a great post-season run– this team showed what you can accomplish when you keep working for each other, stick together, and learn every day. They were an example of a team we have built our success upon where players feel they are part of a big family and really support each other and work towards common goals. They could bounce back from a tough loss, overcoming mistakes or frustrations, while learning how to respond to be better and improve. This group embraced these attitudes and grew as a team all season, eventually winning an SEC Championship and finishing the season ranked 9th in the country. I am lucky to work with these athletes that achieve such great success on the field and in the classroom, who are grateful for the opportunities they are given and truly appreciate the fans that support them.
What’s an improvement you’d like to see in Columbia?
I would love more bike paths! I love to ride mountain bikes and road bikes and would love the opportunity to road bike more, but away from busy roads.
Tell us about an obstacle you’ve had in life and how you overcame it.
I have grown up with the benefits of Title IX and the growth of women’s sports. I had to play every sport with boy’s teams when I started, and I never thought of it as an obstacle, but an opportunity that a lot of girls would not have taken. I didn’t have the opportunities that young girls have today, but I was right on the steps of many doors being opened for the first time because of the strong women before me. I was one of very few women coaches at the college level when I began, and that has grown tremendously over time. I am grateful to remain in athletics and soccer all these years as it was not something women thought of as a career at the time, but it has been a wonderful adventure that brought me to Columbia 22 years ago.
If you were taking someone on a tour around Columbia, where are the three places you’re going?
I would take them to the beautiful horseshoe on campus, the impressive football stadium, and depending on my guest, maybe visit the zoo or one of the local breweries.
