Wesleyan Names Turf Field for Renny ’78 and Tiina Smith
Renny Smith ’78 graduated from Wesleyan nearly three decades ago, but thoughts of the University and how he can give back to it are never far from his mind. When an opportunity arose to support the new turf field, on the southwestern side of campus, Renny and his wife, Tiina, responded with a significant gift.
“We’re very athletic, and so are our children,” Renny said recently. “We wanted to make a gift that would be meaningful, and we decided that this was the right thing for us at the right time. A turf field adds to Wesleyan’s impressive athletic facilities, helping the school attract very good athletes and coaches and build strong athletic programs. This enables Wesleyan scholar-athletes to have a richer and more fulfilling experience and enjoy the benefit of state-of-the-art fields and equipment.”
In recognition of the Smiths’ gift, Wesleyan dedicated Smith Field on October 21, prior to the Homecoming field hockey game against Amherst. Among those in attendance was John Biddiscombe, director of athletics and chair of the physical education department.
“The gift from Renny and Tiina has made the construction of the artificial turf field a reality,” John said. ”The field has already, and will in the future, make many Wesleyan teams more competitive, provide a safe playing environment for a variety of University teams, both intercollegiate and club, and demonstrate that Wesleyan is serious about the place of athletics in a liberal education.”
The primary surface for lacrosse and field hockey, Smith Field will also accommodate soccer and other sports for pre-season scrimmages and foul-weather play. During the summer, the field will host children's sports camps, Middletown-area teams, and activities of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
A varsity soccer player at Wesleyan, Renny has fond memories of his years as a midfielder for Coach Terry Jackson, who led the Cardinals to a Little Three Championship and qualification for the ECAC in 1977. Renny credits Coach Jackson with taking “a talented group of players who needed strong leadership and helping them achieve a high level of teamwork and success.”
Terry Jackson coached men's soccer for 31 years and received numerous awards, including the 1991 New England Division III Coach of the Year title, for leading the Cardinals to a 15-1-1 record and a national top-10 ranking. In honor of his many contributions to Wesleyan, the University renamed North Field, located adjacent to the Office of Admission, Jackson Field. While discussing the dedication ceremony, which also took place on October 21, Terry reminisced about his coaching days and about Renny, whom he described as a hard worker and a key member of the men's soccer team.
“Being tall and lanky, Renny stood out among the other players,” Terry said. “He was quick to the ball, very tenacious, and could run all day. Renny outworked many opponents during the course of the game and I am sure that his work ethic was sustained after he left Wesleyan. As an individual, Renny was thoughtful and caring. It makes me feel very proud to see him give back to the athletic department and to Wesleyan. It also does not surprise me at all. He was always a class act, on and off the field.”
Renny, who recalls practicing soccer drills on the cement floor of the ice hockey rink during inclement weather, said that a turf field would have made a tremendous difference in the team’s ability to practice. Turf fields, which are becoming standard at schools with serious athletic programs, offer better shock absorption, reduce injuries, and provide excellent traction, even during heavy rains. They are also easier and cheaper to maintain than grass fields.
Tiina Smith, who shares Renny's passion for athletics, was one of the most accomplished collegiate tennis players of her generation. She played number one singles for Harvard and won the Ivy League title for three consecutive years. As a junior player, she was ranked number one in New England for six years and finished her junior career ranked number 21 in the country. She still competes at the national level and is currently ranked number four in the country in her age group.
Giving to the turf field is one of many kindnesses the Smiths have extended to Wesleyan over the years. In addition to supporting financial aid and the annual fund, Renny chaired the Boston Area Campaign and served on the Campaign Council. He is also an enthusiastic participant in alumni activities, including the committee for his 25th class reunion in 2003. When not involved in Wesleyan events, he is a principal of TH Lee Putnam Ventures and GRS Partners, private equity firms that make growth capital investments in business service companies. In characteristic, low-key fashion, Renny attributes much of his professional success to the lessons he learned at Wesleyan.
“There isn't a day that goes by that I don’t draw on the skills I learned at Wesleyan,” he said. “My experience was rich and diverse, and I had a wonderful four years here. Now in my alumni years, I enjoy the camaraderie and bonds that I have with countless Wesleyan friends and acquaintances I've made over the years.”
