Jan. 14, 2008

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The University of West Florida is mourning the tragedy of losing the life of a student athlete this week. Danielle Smith, a freshman on the UWF Women's golf team, died Saturday at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital from injuries sustained when her vehicle overturned Friday along I-10 near Tallahassee. Smith, from Middleburg, Fla., was traveling to her home near Jacksonville when the accident occurred in Madison County. According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, Smith's vehicle, an SUV, hydroplaned when hitting a large patch of water during a storm. She lost control and the car struck trees along the nearby roadside.

"Danielle was a wonderful young lady with a winning smile. She was full of energy and spirit. She never for one minute gave this team anything less than 100 percent of herself. She had potential to do great things on and off the golf course. Her determination to improve was not only for herself, as she truly cared for the whole team, and was an incredible encourager to all her teammates. She would have been a great team leader, and we dedicate this season to her," stated West Florida's Head Women's Golf Coach Robin Dezarn. Dezarn and her team have been joined by the entire athletic department in grieving the loss.

Smith participated this fall for West Florida's women's golf team, and had a promising future. In the Bubba Watson Invitational, she tied for 30th place in the nine team tournament won by the Argonauts. She was one of five freshmen on the Women's Golf team, that represented a youthful but talented squad. The spring season begins in February, and Smith will be with the team in spirit.

UWF Athletics is deeply saddened for the loss of a member of our family. Danielle Smith was a promising leader within our student athletes, and she will be greatly missed by all of us.

Flags have been lowered at UWF in Smith's memory. The Viewing is scheduled for this Friday from 5 to 8 pm Eastern Time in Middleburg, Fla. Services will be held on Saturday at 11 am Eastern Time, at the First Baptist Church of Middleburg, 2645 Blanding Blvd, Middleburg, Fla. Danielle will be laid to rest at the Jacksonville Memorial Gardens in Orange Park, Fla.