Shawnee State Women's Basketball Coach at 600 Wins and Counting

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PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) — Nestled in the Scioto Valley is a University that knows its basketball, and one coach who's guided her teams to hundreds and hundreds of victories.

Coach Robin Hagen-Smith has been with Shawnee State University for 29 years as coach of the Lady Bear's basketball team. Her resume includes countless Sweet Sixteens, Final Four trips — even a national championship. Her latest honor puts her in a club only a handful of coaches in the nation are a part of — more than 600 wins. Six hundred and three, so far, to be exact.

"I never got into the profession thinking I want 400, 500, 600 wins," Coach Robin Hagen-Smith said. "It just happened. I just love the game."

"Six hundred wins is a testimony to how hard she works," Shawnee State University Athletic Director Jeff Hamilton said. "Year in and year out to win at the level she's won at is difficult, and she a lot of times makes it look easy."

On the court, Hagen-Smith doesn't back down — same goes for off. The wife and mother of two is also a cancer survivor.

"Coming here for two hours every day is a distraction, a good distraction," Hagen-Smith said. "I don't think about my health situation and if I did that would drive me completely crazy because I think about it all the time." I'm very happy I've reached this milestone, but God has blessed me tremendously and I just hope I can keep on coaching for many more years. I just hope I'm healthy enough to do something I love to do."

Hagen-Smith's players say they're honored to learn from her.

"She doesn't only care about basketball, she cares about academics," Senior Abby Ballman said. "She wants you to be a good person outside basketball, too, and she shows that by how she acts off the court. She's a person who we want to be when we grow up."

The Lady Bears won again Wednesday night, 60-55 over Daemen College — representing Coach Hagen-Smith's 603rd win.

The Lady Bears are currently ranked sixth in the nation.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Dave C. on Jan 7, 2012 at 02:04 PM Robins teams are so competitive and fun to watch year after year. I like winning and that is what she does year after year. Keep the wins coming and see you on the court and sidelines! Posted by: D-Mac on Jan 5, 2012 at 08:06 AM There are some good things that happen in Scioto County. Congrats on the wins and keep up the good work!

Shawnee State Women's Basketball Coach at 600 Wins and Counting