ITHACA, N.Y. -- Andy Smith, who guided the Cornell field hockey team to a school record for wins during a record-setting 2023 campaign, has signed a multi-year contract extension to continue to lead the Big Red program into the future it was announced today by Nicki Moore, the Meakem & Smith Director of Athletics & Physical Education.
"I'm delighted to commit to a long-term future at Cornell," Smith said. "We have made massive progress over the past five years, but in essence we are just getting started. I'd like to thank Dr. Nicki Moore, Dr. Ryan Lombardi and Amy Foster for their counsel and support and look forward to working closely with them as we look to turn this program into a perennial top 10 program."
In five seasons on the sidelines with the Big Red, Smith has directed the Big Red to a 40-28 overall record (16-12 Ivy League), with his overall and Ivy League winning percentages ranked as the highest in program history. The Big Red's high-scoring attack culminated in a 12-5 season in 2023, with the squad's 5-2 conference mark putting Cornell in a tie for second place, matching its highest finish since 1991. For the good work of Smith and his staff, Cornell was honored as NFHCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year in 2023.
Along with setting a school record for wins in a season (12), the Big Red reached No. 17 in the NFHCA poll and earned the No. 2 seed in the inaugural Ivy League Tournament. The Big Red led the nation in scoring average (3.21), assists per game (3.65), and points per game (10.47), all single-season school records. Cornell was also second in Division I in scoring margin (1.99) and second in the Ivy League and 15th nationally in scoring defense (1.22 goals allowed per game) with five shutouts. Caroline Ramsey was nation's No. 2 scorer and became the school's all-time scoring leader, while sister Julia paced Division I in assists. Caroline Ramsey became the first Cornellian to earn All-America honors twice, was the Northeast Regional Offensive Player of the Year, and also gained recognition as Offensive Player of the Year by the Ivy League and ECAC. She became the school's career leader in goals, points, game-winning goals and defensive saves during Smith's tenure.
Smith's forte in game strategy and student-athlete development has been on full display. Cornell has had 15 All-Ivy League selections with seven Regional All-Americans in four competitive seasons. A pair of different players led the nation in assists per game (Bridget Mahoney in 2021; Julia Ramsey in 2023). In addition to Ramsey's Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year award in 2023, Maddie Henry took home the league's Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.
