PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame has announced that Bobby Smith will be inducted as part of this year's Hall of Fame class in November.
 
Smith, a Rider University alumnus, played soccer at then Rider College from 1969-1972, setting numerous program records including career goals (46) and goals in a season (16) that stood until the 1990s.  A two-time All-Middle Atlantic Conference West Division Most Valuable Player and one of America's pioneers in the development of professional soccer, and the North American Soccer League in the 1970's, Smith was selected by the NASL's Philadelphia Atoms and as a rookie, won second team All-NASL status. In 1975, he was the only American born and trained player on the 33-team contingent of NASL first team, second team and honorable mention standouts. He later landed with America's most popular team, the New York Cosmos and was a starting fullback and star on the same team that included Pele of Brazil. The Cosmos won the 1977 and 1978 NASL championships. Only Werner Roth and Ricky Davis join Smith with three NASL championship rings. 
 
Smith was previously inducted into the Rider Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997, the National Soccer Hall of Fame in August, 2007 and had his number 10 retired by the Rider Soccer team in November, 2007.