In searching for the first athletic director in Texas A&M San Antonio history, university president Cynthia Teniente-Matson wanted someone who embodied the institution’s mission.

Now serving more than 7,000 students after welcoming its first freshman class in 2016, A&M San Antonio takes pride in being military friendly and ethnically diverse, aiming to provide opportunities to students on San Antonio’s South Side.

Darnell Smith checked all the boxes. An African-American and the son of a 22-year Air Force veteran, Smith grew up on Lackland Air Force Base, graduating Taft in 2002. He was tabbed as A&M San Antonio’s first athletic director last week and was introduced at a news conference on campus Wednesday, taking the helm of a program that aims to begin competition in four sports at the NAIA level this fall.

“He just has a great spirit and energy, and a commitment to want to build a program, and that takes a special type of individual,” Teniente-Matson said. “So we thought that really stood out for him.”

Smith comes to A&M San Antonio after working as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at the University of Central Oklahoma, a Division II school. He also served as the Director of Compliance at the University of New Mexico.

Following a standout football career at Taft, Smith played defensive end at Oklahoma State, including two seasons as a starter.

“Being from San Antonio, coming back home and being able to lead an athletics department is a dream come true,” Smith said. “I represent the people, and I feel like I have a connection to the community, and the community needs this. It’s something that can revitalize and be important for future growth.”

Preparing to start competition in softball, men’s golf and men’s and women’s soccer in the fall, Smith said he aims to hire coaches “as soon as possible,” giving them maximum time to recruit student-athletes for their first seasons.

In the same way Teniente-Matson brought the university’s mission into Smith’s hiring process, Smith hopes to integrate the vision into his coaching searches.

“We're going to lay that infrastructure,” Smith said. “So from the inclusivity standpoint, from the diversity standpoint, I want to make sure they’re looking at the individuals that represent our institution and our student body.”

A&M San Antonio has applied for inclusion in the NAIA, with officials expected to visit campus in the coming weeks to examine the school’s credentials. The league’s annual review process occurs each April, and Teniente-Matson said “early indicators are good.”

The university is also pursuing admission to the Red River Athletic Conference, which includes Our Lady of the Lake.

A&M San Antonio is targeting the addition of men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball upon the completion of an on-campus recreation center, which Teniente-Matson said is on track for fall 2022 or spring 2023. The mix of sports was selected based on local and regional interest while meeting the requirements of Title IX, she said.

Teniente-Matson and Smith both said finding a footing in the NAIA with those programs is a priority ahead of any further additions.

“The question that has come up is football, and whether or not football is coming to A&M San Antonio,” Smith said. “At this point, the focus is on the sports that we have, but it’s something we can look at and I will look at down the road, but we’re not able to cross that bridge at this moment.”

The department will be funded largely through an athletics fee, with students paying $10 per credit hour up to a maximum of $120 per semester. Until that support kicks in during the fall, Teniente-Matson said the startup costs will be covered with institutional funds.

Facilities will initially be a work in progress, with A&M San Antonio teams utilizing temporary practice fields and playing home games at sites in the surrounding community.

“We won’t be hosting events here until our facilities are ready,” Teniente-Matson said, “but this gives us a chance to start competing, building up the student-athlete recruitment pipeline, bringing on the coaches we need, and laying the foundation for competitive play.”

Teniente-Matson said a desire to be competitive will lead the institution to recruit student-athletes from a wide range of locations and backgrounds, but she added that “special focus” will be given to the seven South Bexar County school districts that are part of the university’s ASPIRE program — East Central, Edgewood, Harlandale, Somerset, South San Antonio, Southside and Southwest.

A&M San Antonio hopes to eventually enroll more than 150 student-athletes, and Teniente-Matson said the university’s structure for financial aid will work to enable participation opportunities for financially disadvantaged students.

“I look at this institution, and the first impression I get is potential,” Smith said. “The potential to go beyond and do great things. I want to be a part of that. I want to be a part of something special.”

greg.luca@express-news.net

Twitter: @GregLuca