Senior Associate Athletic Director Farnum Smith officially joined the Jessup staff in a full-time role in 1995. Before that, Smith worked part-time for then San Jose Christian College for five years.
"Farnum Smith anchors our administrative team connecting the roots of San Jose Bible College and San Jose Christian College to what we are today as William Jessup University,” said Athletic Director Lance Von Vogt. “You will not find a more quality person. His life has been in service of the Lord, student-athletes, and this university.”
A graduate from San Jose Bible College, Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education, Bible and Theology, and received a certificate in Sports Ministry. Of his first roles with the Warriors, Smith worked as a part-time men’s basketball assistant coach. He also coached the school's club sports: women’s basketball and men’s and women’s volleyball.
In his full-time role, Smith originally started working in Student Life before being named Athletic Director in 1997. At the time, the Warriors had just one varsity sport, men’s basketball. In 1997, under Smith's direction, men’s soccer, women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball were added as varsity teams.
When the school moved to Rocklin in 2004, changing its name to William Jessup University, Smith orchestrated the school’s jump from the independent level to the NAIA. 2004 also saw the Warriors join the California Pacific Conference, where they competed for the next decade until the school would transition to the Golden State Athletic Conference, a move started by Smith.
Jessup spent the first four years in Rocklin playing all basketball and volleyball games at the NEC Corporation’s Roseville campus before the University struck a deal with the city of Rocklin to allow games to be played on campus in the now activities building. Jessup hosted all home basketball and volleyball games in the activities building for four years until the construction of the Warrior Arena was complete in 2012.
Smith oversaw development for the Warrior Arena and the offices it houses. Currently, the building hosts all basketball, volleyball, and stunt home games.
“I’m most proud of what we were able to accomplish with the limited resources and facilities we’ve had,” said Smith of his lengthy tenure. “When I started, we had about 300 students, but I am so proud that our teams were able to accomplish.”
During Smith’s time at William Jessup University, he has received several awards and honors. In 2010, Smith earned the William Jessup University Faithful Servant Award; in 2011, he was awarded the NAIA-ADA Athletics Director of the Year for the California Pacific Conference and was awarded the NAIA Charles Morris, Administrator of the Year Award in 2018.
Among the many areas of growth at Jessup over the past two-and-a-half decades, the Jessup baseball team's creation and development have Smith’s fingerprints on it. Along with the help of former MLB manager Jerry Manuel, Smith and Jessup Athletics raised over $280-thousand for the beginning of the program and renovation of Lincoln’s McBean Stadium.
“It’s been very cool to be a part of the growth and to see God’s hand at work here at Jessup,” said Smith. “It’s been a blessing to be here.”
In his current day-to-day roles, Smith oversees the Jessup facilities and eligibility of all student-athletes. Smith handled all NAIA Champions of Character documents for the department during their twenty year membership with the NAIA, which led to multiple NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star awards. He is also the sports administrator for Jessup tennis, cross country, and track & field..
“We are privileged to have Farnum and his wisdom helping us lead the way forward,” added Von Vogt. “His steady hand allows us to responsibly grow our department in unison with our university. Farnum's oversight of our facilities, athletic trainers, student-athlete advisory committee in addition to game management and sport administrator duties makes him invaluable to our team."
Originally from Simi Valley, CA, Farnum now resides in Rocklin with his wife, Myrna. They have two children. In his free time, Smith enjoys hanging out with family and friends, traveling, camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, and hunting. Smith currently attends Bridgeway Church in Roseville.
