Chowan University Athletics

Bobby Ray Smith is the only Chowan Junior College basketball player to ever play in the notable Big East Conference. The guard played at Chowan during its great era of nationally ranked junior college teams under legendary junior college coach, Bob Burke. The 1986-1987 team, which he served as captain of, was ranked as high as #3 in the country. During his combined two year stat, the then-Braves had 48 wins and only 15 losses. The 1986-1987 team finished 27-5 overall. Seven players on that squad went on to play at the NCAA DI level and four went on to play at the NCAA DII level. Smith continued his collegiate playing career at Boston College.
 
During his tenure at Chowan, Smith recorded a team leading 276 assists and scored 607 points at the point guard position. His playing career at Boston College was solid despite suffering some injuries. During his senior season at BC he was selected Co-Captain of the team.
 
Smith graduated from Boston College with a B.A. in Communications. He grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York and moved to Sampson County, North Carolina as a teenager. After a solid high school career at Union High School, Burke recruited him to Chowan where he continued to excel.
 
Following graduation from Boston College, Smith played several seasons in the professional ranks in the American Basketball Association. In 1992, he was hired by the Office of Children and Family Services in Wingdale, New York. He served as a Youth Division Counselor until 2000 and then advanced to Senior Youth Division Counselor in the same organization. He has worked hard through the ranks of the NYS Office of Children and Family Services and went on to serve as a Facility Director for a children’s services facility, overseeing all aspects of leadership including overseeing a 20 million dollar budget, 100 plus employees, and 85 residents.
 
Smith and his wife have three children, Issiah, Deja, and Joshua.