Friday, Nov 6, 2026
Rider men’s soccer alumni awarded for his contributions to the sport
by Rider Sports Information
Rider University men's soccer alumnus and Rider Athletics Hall of Famer Bobby Smith ’73 was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame on Thursday night. Smith was previously inducted into the Rider Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997 and the men's soccer team later retired his No. 10 jersey in 2007. He was also inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007.
"It's a great honor to be inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. I wouldn't have gotten here without Rider giving me a scholarship," says Smith. "I played four years at Rider, and I had some success there. I was drafted by the Philadelphia Atoms from Rider, so I wouldn't have made it to professional soccer if it wasn't for Rider."
In his four years with the Broncs, Smith scored 46 goals while recording 112 career points for Rider. During the 1971 season, Smith scored 16 goals for the Broncs, setting a program record for the most goals in a single season which would stand until 1997.
A two-time All-Middle Atlantic Conference West Division Most Valuable Player and one of America's pioneers in the development of professional soccer and the North American Soccer League (NASL) in the 1970s, Smith was selected by the NASL’s Philadelphia Atoms. As a rookie, he earned second-team All-NASL status and helped the Philadelphia Atoms win the 1973 North American Soccer League title.
In 1975, Smith was the only American-born and trained player among the 33-team contingent of NASL first-team, second-team, and honorable-mention standouts. He later joined America's most popular team, the New York Cosmos, where he was a starting fullback and star on a team that included Brazil's Pelé. The Cosmos won the 1977 and 1978 NASL championships, making Smith one of only three players with three NASL championship rings.
Smith also featured for the United States Men's National Team on 18 occasions, first being called up after his 1973 NASL title while playing for the United States’ Men’s National Soccer Team until 1980.
"So, in eight months I went from the Rider College team to being on the best professional team in the country. So, it was quite a step, and I wouldn't have done that without Rider."