GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- The University of North Dakota Department of Athletics mourns the loss of former administrator Dr. Helen Smiley, who passed away on Friday, July 11. 

Smiley started at UND in 1971 and served as an associate athletic director and an assistant professor in the health, physical education and recreation department until 1985. She also served as the interim athletic director in 1984, becoming the first woman to hold that title at North Dakota, and was instrumental in the development of women's athletics at UND. 

Dr. Smiley's career extended far-and-wide, with leadership roles at the University of Iowa and Western Illinois. Her work earned national recognitions, including being named NACDA Athletic Director of the Year in 2000 and having the Summit League Women's All-Sports Award named in her honor.

She has been inducted into the the North Central Conference Hall of Fame, the UND Athletics Hall of Fame, the WIU Athletics Hall of Fame and the Summit League Hall of Fame during her storied career. 

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