Upland, Ind. - Eric Smith has been named Sports Information Director (SID) at Taylor University. Smith, who has served as assistant SID since 2007, replaces Ted Bowers. Bowers, the head coach for three of Taylor's intercollegiate sports - men's cross country and men's and women's track - will continue as assistant SID.

Smith's appointment begins June 1, 2009.

"In keeping pace with the need for a comprehensive department of sports information, promotions and public relations, a goal this year was to enhance the department so that a full time leader in this highly important area of athletics could emerge," said Dr. Angie Fincannon, associate dean for Human Performance and Athletics. "This will allow full effort and attention into the daily goals, organization and outreach of Taylor University athletics.

"Coach Bowers has served the University and our athletic department well in sports information while serving as head coach of men's cross country and men's and women's track and field. We are excited that we will still benefit from his expertise in our sports information efforts as he continues to lead his teams," she continued.

"Eric has demonstrated his abilities in sports information through his excellent work on our Taylor Web site, media guides and other work within this department," said Fincannon. "I have a great deal of faith in Eric's abilities to lead our sports information efforts and I feel his energy and enthusiasm will be infused into his work."

Prior to his arrival at Taylor, Smith spent six years in the sports marketing industry working for General Sports & Entertainment in Rochester, Mich. He served as director of executive placement, overseeing the company's professional sports team executive search division. He also served two seasons as assistant track and field and cross country coach at Forest Hills Northern High School in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Smith attended Taylor for two years before transferring to The Ohio State University. He graduated in 2000 with a degree in business and marketing.

Beyond Taylor, Smith serves as the SID for the Mid-Central College Conference (MCC) and is a member of COSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). He was a presenter at the 2009 NAIA National Convention on the topic Discovering the Value of Facebook in College Athletics. Smith is also a member of the NAIA-NACMA (National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators) Advisory Council.

"I can't wait to get started in this new role. There are a lot of exciting things going on with Taylor athletics and I believe we have momentum building in our world of sports information," Smith said. "The challenge I'm looking forward to is pushing that momentum into high gear as we strive to tell the stories of our student-athletes."

He and his wife Brittany live in Upland with their children, Jack and Audrey.

About Taylor University: Founded in 1846, Taylor University is an interdenominational liberal arts university of evangelical faith located in Upland, Ind. The 2009 U.S. News & World Report survey America's Best Colleges ranked Taylor the number one Baccalaureate College in the Midwest. It marked Taylor's second straight top ranking following ten straight years of being ranked in the region's Top Three.

Taylor University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).