Eugene "Gene" Smith is the athletic director for the Ohio State University. He was named the university's eighth athletic director on March 5, 2005. Prior to his tenure at Ohio State, he served as athletic director for Arizona State, Eastern Michigan, and Iowa State. He oversees one of the biggest athletics program in the country, with 36 varsity sports and more than 900 student athletes. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame where he was recruited to play football for the Fighting Irish. He was the first member of his family to receive a University degree.