Smeltzly entered Florida Southern College (FSC) as a studentathlete in the early 1950s, playing both baseball and basketball. After graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, he signed a professional baseball contract and played in the minor leagues in 1953 and 1955 (before and after his military service). Smeltzly became head baseball coach at FSC starting in 1958 (or 1959 in some records) and served through 1976. During that time, his record was 391166 (or in some updated record books ~3871684) for FSC baseball. Under his leadership, FSC won three NCAA Division II national championships in baseball (1971, 1972, 1975) and earned six regional titles. In addition to his baseball role, Smeltzly served as Athletic Director at FSC (beginning around 1978) and held that post through 2000. Smeltzly managed and coached for the USA national baseball programs: he coached the U.S. team to silver medals at international tournament play in 1972 and 1975. He also served as a technical delegate for baseball at the 1984 Olympics and was instrumental in baseball’s push for Olympic recognition. Smeltzly’s number (uniform #7) is retired at FSC. He was inducted into multiple halls of fame: the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (1980), Florida Sports Hall of Fame, Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame, Polk County Sports Hall of Fame, and others. FSM (FSC) still honors him through the “Hal Smeltzly Award,” given annually to the top male athlete at Florida Southern. Smeltzly’s impact extended beyond baseball, guiding FSC athletics to new heights as a multifaceted administrator. Under his tenure, the school achieved what is noted as its “Triple Crown” season (winning NCAA titles in three sports in the same year). Hal Smelytzly passed away on June 15, 2018, at the age of 86. His legacy remains in the sustained success of FSC’s athletics programs, the baseball tradition he built, and the national influence he had on collegiate and amateur baseball.