Rick Smith was a member of Shorter's first two men's tennis conference championship squads in 1974 and 1975, and the first District 25 championship team in 1975, with a perfect 12-0 conference record. He was selected as a four-time singles and three-time doubles All-Conference performer and an All-District and NAIA All-American second team selection in 1975.

A four-year captain for the Hawks, Smith was selected as an Outstnading College Athlete of America his entire college career. He earned numerous individual tennis awards for best singels and doubles player in his career and was a team MVP in 1972 and 1973.