Lansing Sun

Spartan All-American Laura (Kueny) Smith is among the 2024 inductees of the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame.

Smith joins Jessica (Beech) Bograkos (softball), Anson Carter (ice hockey), Darqueze Dennard (football), Beth (Rohl) Saylors (women's track & field), and Paul Terek (men's track & field), along with the 1965-1966 football teams, who become the first teams inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Celebration will take place on Friday, Sept. 13. There will also be a special recognition of the 2024 MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class during the Michigan State-Prairie View A&M football game at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The MSU Athletics Hall of Fame, located in the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center, opened on Oct. 1, 1999, and displays plaques of the 180 previous inductees. The charter class of 30 former Spartan student-athletes, coaches, and administrators was inducted in 1992.

When she was a sophomore on Michigan State's women's golf team, Laura (Kueny) Smith opened the 2007-08 season by winning the Mary Fossum Invitational.

As she walked off the 18th green at Forest Akers West Golf Course, head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll hugged her and offered some prophetic encouragement.

"I remember when I won my first tournament, the Fossum, and Coach came up to me and said, 'You're going to be a Hall of Famer here,'" Smith recalled. "I was like, 'Yeah, okay,' I'm just a sophomore.' But you spend four years at Michigan State; you walk through those hallways (in the Smith Center), you see those plaques for the Hall of Fame and all those names, but you don't think about that.

"Then you graduate; time goes by and you kind of forget about it. But to know that my name will be in that group; there's no words to describe it. To play at the collegiate level is just an honor itself. And to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is just hard to put into words."

Her coach was right about her pupil as Smith will become the seventh member of the women's golf program to become a member of the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame, joining names like Mary Fossum, Joan Garety, Sue Ertl, and Emily Bastel.

"That's pretty good company," said Smith, who has lived in Asheville, N.C., for ten years and works for FedEx Corporation while serving as an assistant women's golf coach at UNC-Asheville. "It definitely means a lot given some of the names in our program's history.

"Joan is one of them and I remember playing in an amateur event in Spring Lake. We came down to the end; it was the two of us in match play and I beat her. But it's truly humbling to know that my name will be in that group of women who built this program. You never think that you would be classified with names like Joan and others. They've done a lot for Michigan State and women's golf. I've got to thank them and thank all women before me who made this program what it is."

Smith herself played a big part in helping raise women's golf program levels. The Spartans made four NCAA Regional appearances during her career and advanced to NCAA Championships twice. She was named Big Ten Player of the Year as a senior in 2010 earned Second Team All-American honors in 2009 and 2010 and was a three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection.

After struggling to adjust to college as a freshman Smith credits Slobodnik-Stoll and former assistant coach Lorne Don for their belief in her abilities not just on the golf course but as a student.

"In greatest sense Stacy would just be tremendous used car salesman," Smith said."She knows how sell things.She works hard get what she wants.She raises lot money.She knows what takes build winning program.And what takes successful off course."

"I probably most difficult recruit Coach brought team.I think took things granted.I definitely appreciate second chance I got.If Coach Stacy Lorne didn't give second chance if they didn't believe me I'm not sure I would been able make through.I wish applied myself more.It scary think what could done if had applied myself early.If could take back freshman year would jump chance."

Make through she did.In addition being just second Spartan time named Big Ten Player Year Smith finished career MSU all-time scoring average leader(74 .6) had16 career top-five finishes23 among top-10

"Capping off career winning Big Ten Player Year probably most memorable,"she said."That solidified everything me.To prove doubters important me."

"The experience had Michigan State amazing.We great group Caroline(Powers),Sara(Brown)Liz(Nagel).We tight we strong.But have great appreciation opportunities gave provided.Everyone welcoming knew minute stepped campus going there."

Next time comes back Smith return have name added list all-time greats women golf program history become member Hall Fame

"It's going special moment," admitted."Stacy always eye-to-eye playing but made grow up appreciate.They believed glad small way can repay this way.My parents sacrificed lot allow play golf deserve much can't wait give recognition deserve"