Brooklyn, NY----Announced by the Brooklyn College Division of Student Affairs, Erik Smiles has been appointed the college's new Director of Athletics, Recreation, and Intramurals. Following a national search, Smiles replaces Bruce Filosa who had been at the helm of the program since 1992.
"While the former Athletic Director, Bruce Filosa, has left an indelible mark on the department and the larger campus community, I'm confident that Erik has the skills and abilities to move the department to new heights carving out his own legacy for the Bulldogs," Brooklyn College Vice President for Student Affairs, Ron Jackson, commented on Smiles' appointment.
No stranger to the City University of New York, Smiles arrives on the Bedford Ave campus from Hostos Community College where he served as Director of Athletics, Recreation, and Intramurals since 2019. There, he oversaw all aspects of the department including the day-to-day activities of its seven National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) affiliated varsity intercollegiate sports, the implementation of recreation and intramural programs for the campus community, management and maintenance of facilities, and the development of additional intercollegiate athletic programs. He led the program through the COVID-19 pandemic to eventually transition back to a fully operational department. Well respected by his peers, Smiles left Hostos as the President of CUNYAC community college athletic directors and a member of the NJCAA Women's Basketball National Committee. During his time at the helm, the perennial power Hostos women's basketball team made an appearance in the NJCAA Division III National Championship game to close out the 2021-22 season after qualifying for the NJCAA National Tournament in 2019-2020. The Caimans also captured the Men's Basketball CUNYAC and Region XV titles, eventually winning a game in the NJCAA National Tournament during the 2019-2020 season.
"I want to thank President Anderson and Vice President Jackson and the entire search committee, during the search process their love and support for the student-athletes was something that I connected with right away," thanked Smiles. "It is an honor to follow a legend like Bruce Filosa. He did an amazing job building this athletics program from scratch when we rejoined the NCAA D3 ranks in 1992. Bruce's passion for the student athletes, his love of competition and his dedication to Brooklyn College shines through in every facet of our department."
Prior to his appointment at Hostos, Smiles was the Athletic Facility Coordinator and Head Men's Basketball Coach at Long Island University - Post from 2013-2019. At Post, Smiles was responsible for scheduling all internal and external events, maintaining schedules for athletic facilities, served as the liaison between the Department of Athletics and physical plant staff, and prepared financial reports for both internal and external audits. In addition, he oversaw all operations of an NCAA Division II men's basketball program. During his tenure, Smiles coached the Pioneers to four East Coast Conference (ECC) Tournament appearances while mentoring five All-Metropolitan selections and ten All-ECC players.
The Long Island native began his career in college athletics at Farmingdale State College as an assistant coach on the Men's Basketball staff before being named Head Coach and Campus Facilities Coordinator in 2004, sharing similar responsibilities while at Post. During his nine seasons at the helm of the men's basketball program, Smiles amassed a career record of 182-72. He led the Rams to four Skyline Regular Season titles and three Skyline Tournament Championships while posting six 20-plus win seasons. The Rams also made the NCAA tournament four times under Smiles' tutelage, advancing all the way to the Elite Eight in 2009. A highly decorated coach, Smiles has received a total of eight Coach of the Year awards. He is a three-time Skyline Coach of the Year, two-time BCANY Co-Coach of the Year, one-time All-Met Coach of the Year, one time NABC Coach of the Year, and one-time D3Hoops.com Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. His team had also received the Skyline Conference Sportsmanship Award twice. Smiles coached 12 all-conference players, three Skyline Players of the Year, and two DIII All-Americans while at Farmingdale.
"There were so many things that drew me to Brooklyn College, the great academics, beautiful campus, an outstanding alumni base and the support of upper administration but also the past successes of our coaches and student athletes both on the playing surface and in the classroom as well as our beautiful athletic facilities."
Smiles is a graduate of Bridgeport University where he was a four-year member of the men's basketball team. He resides in North Babylon, NY with his wife, Kay, and daughters, Samantha and Skylar.
