After nearly three decades as the head women’s golf coach at Illinois, Paula Smith will be stepping down at the conclusion of this season. Smith is the only coach to have lead the Illini women’s golf team since its inception in 1978.

“Paula Smith has been an outstanding coach and an exceptional representative for the University of Illinois,” athletic director Ron Guenther said in a press release.

In 1997 Smith, a Freeburg, Ill. native, was inducted into the national Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 2002 and 2003, she took the Illini to their first-ever postseason appearances. She has coached LPGA tour members, including Hall of Fame member Renee Heiken Slone, who was a three-time All-American and All-Big Ten athlete and was twice named the Big Ten player of the year.

From 1999 to 2004, Smith’s teams have the highest combined GPA of any female sports team at Illinois. She has coached 60 Academic All-Big Ten honorees, 86 George Huff award recipients, and 29 National Golf Coaches Association All-Scholar winners.

“Being at the University of Illinois for the past 28 years has meant so much to me,” Smith said in a press release. “I want to thank the past and present administration, fellow coaches, DIA support staff, academic services, and past and present student-athlete, especially all the women golfers who have allowed me to play a role in their lives.”

Dee adds to award list

As if Dee Brown’s mom didn’t have enough to brag about, the Illini point guard picked up a few more honors in the past week.

Brown was chosen as the winner of the 2006 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, which goes to the college basketball player under 6-feet who has excelled both on the field and in the classroom.

In addition to leading Illinois in scoring, assists, steals, minutes and free-throw shooting this season, Brown managed to graduate a semester early with a degree in Sports Management. He ranks 16th in his graduating class of 382.

In addition to the Naismith award, Brown recently earned a spot on Collegehoops.net’s second-team All-American list. Brown was the only Big Ten player to make any of the website’s four teams.

Club Lacrosse hosts tourney

The University of Illinois women’s lacrosse club team will be holding a tournament this Saturday. Games will be played on the fields at the corner of Florida and Lincoln Avenues in Urbana.

The Illinois team’s games are scheduled for 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. The Illini first face Washington University in the tournament opener, then take on Miami of Ohio and finally Knox College.

“Saturday’s tournament features great competition in and outside of our league,” team president/captain Mary Clark said. “Wash U will be a challenging out of division game, followed by a strong Miami team. A win against Miami will put us in the running to go to Regionals.”

Other teams participating in the tournament include Northwestern, DePaul, Wisconsin and Augustana. Game times are 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.

Clark said the Illini hope for a big turnout for what should be a series of good contests.

“Look for us to come out aggressively right from the start,” Clark said. “Everyone on the team is pumped up and ready to get three wins for the home crowd and Mom’s Day.”

Volleyball adds new player

Illinois volleyball will be adding an outside hitter to its roster in 2006, as Amy Palash transfers from Valparaiso University. Palash led Valpo to the Mid-Continent Conference title and an automatic NCAA tournament berth with her 15 double-doubles and team-leading 3.46 kills per game. She has been the conference’s Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week.

As a freshman in 2004, Palash earned a spot on the Mid-Con All-Freshman Team.

During her high school career at volleyball powerhouse St. Francis in Wheaton, Ill., Palash helped her team to back-to-back IHSA Class A state titles in 2002 and 2003. The Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune and Champaign News-Gazette all named her to their All-State teams in 2003.

“Amy is a tremendous all-around player with excellent athletic ability,” Illinois head coach Don Hardin said in a press release. “Her style of play, her energy, and her work ethic made her a great fit for our program.”

Home events this weekend

In case mom’s not interested in the garden show or craft fair, Illini sports will be in action to keep her entertained while visiting campus this weekend.

Illinois football will hold an open practice 9 to noon on Saturday. The Illini will be scrimmaging at Memorial Stadium for much of the practice session.

Men’s tennis will be facing Michigan State at noon on Saturday at the Atkins Tennis center. Admission is free for all students.

On Sunday, the men’s tennis team will be competing again, this time taking on Michigan. The meet will again be held at the Atkins Tennis Center and will again be free to students.