Name: LIFE@Lynchburg | Ballparks & Ballplayers: Baseball in Lynchburg, Va.
Start: 2026-03-11T10:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-03-11T12:00:00-04:00
Location: Sydnor Performance Hall

LIFE@Lynchburg | Ballparks & Ballplayers: Baseball in Lynchburg, Va.

The history of baseball on the Lynchburg campus and in the City of Lynchburg.
Speaker Biographies:
Dr. David Freier
Dr. Stephen P. Smith is a distinguished educator, researcher, and leader in motor learning, strength and conditioning, and sport psychology. Currently serving as the associate vice president for academic affairs at the University of Lynchburg, Dr. Smith plays a pivotal role in strategic planning, curriculum development, and faculty mentorship. His career spans two decades in higher education, athletic coaching, and program administration, with extensive experience developing academic programs and fostering student success.
Dr. Smith earned his Doctor of Education in Motor Learning from the University of Virginia, with his dissertation focusing on talent selection in youth baseball. He also holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Science in Health, Movement Science, and Recreation from Lynchburg College.
A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach, Dr. Smith has applied his expertise in athlete development, sports performance, and biomechanics. He has held leadership roles as a dean, associate professor, and department chair, and has served as head strength and conditioning coach for multiple collegiate teams. His research, published in the Baseball Research Journal and the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, focuses on talent selection, pitching velocity, and strength-training methodologies.
Beyond academia, Dr. Smith has been deeply involved in community outreach and youth sports development, serving as a Little League board member, travel baseball coach, and advocate for fitness and wellness initiatives. He is an active presenter at national and regional conferences, sharing insights on Olympic lifting, sports leadership, and strength-training innovations.
With a passion for mentorship, athletic excellence, and student empowerment, Dr. Smith continues to shape the future of sports science and education through his leadership, research, and dedication to lifelong learning.