BLOOMINGTON, Minn. -- With more than 80 years of combined service to their institutions and the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), Saint Benedict Athletic Director Carol Howe-Veenstra and Saint John's Head Men's Basketball Coach Jim Smith will both enter well-deserved retirements at the conclusion of the 2014-15 year, and both received a significant final honor to cap their tremendous careers. Howe-Veenstra and Smith have both been named the 2015 recipients of the MIAC Distinguished Service Award.

The MIAC Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor the conference can bestow upon an individual, and it recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to their institution and to the conference, and is presented upon retirement, resignation, or re-assignment. Howe-Veenstra and Smith have both made remarkable contributions to the MIAC and their respective institutions throughout their long and distinguished careers, and both were obvious selections to receive the MIAC's supreme honor.

"It is an honor for the MIAC to present Carol Howe-Veenstra and Jim Smith with the 2015 Distinguished Service Award," said MIAC Executive Director Dan McKane. "Both have positively influenced the lives of so many student-athletes and have been a driving force for the conference as we know it today, and they've also been outstanding mentors, colleagues and friends. It was an easy choice to select both of these individuals to receive the MIAC’s highest honor."

Howe-Veenstra and Smith were nominated, selected and honored by the MIAC Athletic Director's Council and Management Committee, and their peers presented their awards at the MIAC Athletic Directors' Council Meeting on May 5, 2015, at St. Olaf College. Howe-Veenstra and Smith are the 21st and 22nd recipients of the award since its inception in 2001.

"Jim and Carol are legends of Saint John’s, Saint Benedict, the MIAC and NCAA Division III athletics," said Saint John's Athletic Director Tom Stock, who has worked closely with both during his tenure. "Like with so many people whose lives have been touched by them, I feel so very fortunate to know and have been professionally mentored by them. They epitomize the meaning of this award."

Augsburg's Kelly Anderson Diercks (left) present Saint Benedict's Carol Howe-Veenstra with the 2015 MIAC Distinguished Service Award.

CAROL HOWE-VEENSTRA, COLLEGE OF SAINT BENEDICT
Howe-Veenstra's Distinguished Service Award is the exclamation point on a remarkable 30-year career as a coach and administrator at Saint Benedict. Howe-Veenstra came to CSB in 1985 and served as the head volleyball coach for 15 years and the school's athletic director for the past 28 years. On Thursday, Oct. 2, 2015, she announced her retirement effective June 19, 2015, and she will leave behind an incredible legacy at Saint Benedict and beyond.

"The MIAC is honoring Carol for the positive impact she had on athletics, not just on Saint Benedict’s campus, but across the entire athletic conference," McKane said. "Carol has been an integral part of the MIAC throughout her career as a coach and administrator. Her passion and commitment to the development of women’s athletics has left a lasting mark in the MIAC."

Howe-Veenstra has been especially influential in the area of women's opportunities in college athletics. Howe-Veenstra played an integral role in adding both golf and track and field as varsity sports in 1987, and in 1997, with support from administration, she put together resources for the first varsity hockey program in CSB history.

Just giving women the opportunity to play sports wasn't enough for Howe-Veenstra, so once again, she defied the odds. She was a part of three different building committees for the current Haehn Campus Center, which opened in 1996. She started the Blazer Hall of Fame in 1992 to recognize and honor former Blazer athletes, staff and teams for their outstanding contributions to Blazer athletics, and she has been a key adviser to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for many of her 30 years.

It's also easy to examine Howe-Veenstra's coaching career and mark her success by numbers – by wins and losses (366-150), All-Americans (10) and all-conference athletes (14). From 1985-99, Howe-Veenstra guided the Blazers to 11 trips to the NCAA Division III National Tournament, including seven trips to the Sweet 16. She earned MIAC Coach-of-the-Year honors in 1989 and 1997, and was named the NCAA Central Region Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1990.

"As I reflect on these past 30 years at CSB, I have recognized many timely opportunities and people who opened doors for me, and guided me through the ups and downs of a career in athletics," Howe-Veenstra said. "I have been surrounded by amazing students, teams, coaches, faculty, staff and our Sisters, along with friends and family who have provided me with inspiration, support, lots of advice, and cheers.  I am especially appreciative of our dedicated coaches and staff, who have worked together as a team.  They have cared so much for our students, they know how to work hard and yet have fun while reaching for our goals."

The Distinguished Service Award is the latest in a career filled with impressive honors for the retiring Blazer A.D. She has been recognized both locally and nationally for her work. In 1995 she was given the St. Cloud Technical High School Breaking Barriers Award, and in 2002 she was recognized for her leadership and support of Girls and Women in Sports Day. In 2011, Howe-Veenstra was named the Administrator of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators – an award that spanned all divisions of collegiate athletics.

However, her latest honor certainly carries significant meaning as it signals the respect she's earned from her colleagues throughout the conference, and her work to enhance the experiences of student-athletes at Saint Benedict and throughout the MIAC.

"It has been an honor to be associated with the MIAC as one of the most prestigious conferences in NCAA Division III," Howe-Veenstra said. "My colleagues have provided great support, debate and always a focus on to best serve the student-athlete.  The leadership by Executive Director Dan McKane has been nothing short of exemplary."

St. Thomas' Steve Fritz presents Saint John's Jim Smith with the 2015 MIAC Distinguished Service Award.

JIM SMITH, SAINT JOHN'S UNIVERSITY
Howe-Veenstra's 30-year career at Saint Benedict is certainly impressive tenure, and Smith's run at Saint John's out-paced her by 21 years. Smith just completed his 51st and final season as the head men's basketball coach at Saint John's and also served as the Johnnies' athletic director for a total of 15 years over two stints (1972-76 and 1994-2003). He also as an associate professor of physical education and coached golf (1981-93), cross country (1965-73) and track (1966-73) at SJU. His MIAC Distinguished Service Award was presented in honor for his outstanding contributions to Saint John's and the conference in all his various roles over more than five decades.

"The MIAC recognized Jim for his impressive career at Saint John’s, both as a coach and administrator," McKane said. "He had success in everything he did over the past 51 years on campus. We will certainly miss him on the basketball sidelines next year."

"I was completely surprised when it was announced that I was going to receive the 2015 MIAC Distinguished Service Award," added Smith. "I consider the MIAC to be one of the finest Division III conferences in the NCAA, both academically and athletically. I am humbled that the athletic directors decided that I was to receive this highest award. The MIAC has grown and improved since I first became Saint John’s athletic director in 1970. The [Distinguished Service Award] presentation by [St. Thomas Athletic Director] Steve Fritz, who I admire, made it even more meaningful. The award will be in a special, significant place in our home."

Smith's basketball coaching tenure concluded with 786 victories, the most ever by a Minnesota college basketball coach, second-most in NCAA Division III history, and 14th most all-time across the NCAA's three divisions. He's led the Johnnies to seven MIAC championships, five MIAC Playoff titles, and 17 total trips to the National Tournament - nine in the NAIA and eight in NCAA Division III.

The MIAC Coach-of-the-Year award has been presented to Smith six times, and he has also won NAIA District and Division III Region Coach-of-the-Year honors. He served as President of the NAIA National Basketball Coaches' Association from 1981-83. His teams won MIAC championships in five different decades, and his teams posted a winning record in 36 of his 51 seasons.

With all the win totals and honors, the stat Smith is proudest of is his team's graduation rate. In 51 years, only one of his players didn't graduate. Most schools would struggle to boast that accomplishment for one season, let alone a period of more than five decades. The NCAA couldn't find a better example of someone who truly embraced the "student-athlete" moniker.

"A lot of people will try to summarize what Coach Smith has meant to SJU and what type of impact he has had over the next few weeks, months, year, etc.," said Pat McKenzie, who both played and coached under Smith and will succeed his as the Johnnies' head coach. "The wins and championships are easy to quantify. The number of lives he has affected, though, are literally immeasurable. That impact and legacy will live on far longer than the on-court success, which is exactly how he would want it."

Saint Benedict and Saint John's sports information departments contributed to this release.

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