Ben Smith enters his fourth season as the assistant coach of the Carey baseball team.

Smith first arrived at William Carey in 2004 as a member of the Crusader baseball team. In four years as a player he was a member of 2 NAIA Regional teams and a member of the 2005 GCAC championship team. After his playing career, Smith became the assistant baseball coach and helped lead the Crusaders to a GCAC Championship and runner-up in the NAIA Regionals in 2009. In 2010, Smith helped lead the Crusaders to a runner-up finish in the SSAC Tournament and to a berth in the NAIA Opening Round Tournament.

Smith, who is also the head coach for the men's and women's cross country teams, received a Bachelor of Arts in History from William Carey in 2008. He is married to the former Amy Perry of Florence, MS and they have one daughter, Mackenzie.

Head coach Bobby Halford is entering his 27th season as the skipper of Crusader baseball.

Last season the Crusaders went 31-27, finished as runner-up in the SSAC Tournament, and advanced to the opening round of the 2012 NAIA National Tournament.

After a standout prep career at Meridian High, Halford arrived on the Carey campus in the fall of 1971 and roamed the outfields for Crusaders for four season playing for legendary Crusader coaches John O'Keefe and John Stephenson.

In 1976-77, Halford joined the Carey coaching staff as an assistant coach under Stephenson for baseball and became the first head coach of the women's basketball program. Halford roamed the sidelines for 10 seasons going 152-112 and led the Lady Crusaders to the 1982-83 GCAC championship.  Three former players, Wanda Ard, Kathy Swilley, and Tommie Beasley, moved on to play professional basketball in the Women's American Basketball Association.

Halford served as the assistant baseball coach for eight seasons. During his time as an assistant the Crusaders won three GCAC championships, captured the 1978 NAIA regional tournament and advanced to the 1978 NAIA World Series.

In 1986 Halford was named the head baseball coach and began to rewrite the Carey record books. Halford's Crusaders have captured 16 GCAC championships, 6 NAIA District 30 Championships and participated in 17 NAIA Regional Tournaments. Eight times Halford has been named GCAC Coach of the Year. Twice the Crusaders have advanced to the Opening Round of the NAIA National Tournament. Over 35 former players have moved on to pro ball and several have moved into the coaching ranks.

Halford completed his undergraduate degree in education from William Carey in 1976 and finished his master's degree in education in 1977.

During his time at WCU Halford has served as Athletic Director from 1984-1987 and he currently serves as an instructor in the department of education.

Halford has been married to his wife Kathy for 35 years, and they have four daughters (Kelly-33, Brittany-31, Leslie-24, and Lori-22) and three grandchildren (Allie-5, Ava Katherine-2, and Emily-1).

Bobby Halford	%		*	1986	34	22	60.7 %
Bobby Halford				1987	30	17	63.8 %
Bobby Halford	%	@	*	1988	25	23	52.1 %
Bobby Halford	%	@	*	1989	27	21	56.3 %
Bobby Halford	%	@	*	1990	39	12	76.5 %
Bobby Halford	%	@		1991	29	20	59.2 %
Bobby Halford	%			1992	38	13	74.5 %
Bobby Halford	%	@	*	1993	38	20	65.5 %
Bobby Halford				1994	34	21	61.8 %
Bobby Halford	%	@		1995	47	16	74.6 %
Bobby Halford	%	@		1996	34	17	66.7 %
Bobby Halford		@		1997	43	19	69.4 %
Bobby Halford		@		1998	38	21	64.4 %
Bobby Halford		@		1999	36	21	63.2 %
Bobby Halford	#	@		2000	36	21	63.2 %
Bobby Halford	%	@		2001	38	23	62.3 %
Bobby Halford	%	@		2002	31	23	57.4 %
Bobby Halford	%	@		2003	29	19	60.4 %
Bobby Halford	%	@		2004	43	18	70.5 %
Bobby Halford	#	@		2005	32	25	56.1 %
Bobby Halford				2006	32	23	58.2 %
Bobby Halford		@		2007	29	29	50.0 %
Bobby Halford				2008	36	22	62.1 %
Bobby Halford	^	!		2009	36	22	62.1 %
Bobby Halford				2010	31	27	53.4 %
Bobby Halford	=	!		2011	31	27	53.4 %
Overall					1556	871	64.1 %

NAIA National Champions	&
NAIA World Series	$
NAIA National Tournament	!
District 30 Champions	*
GCAC Champions	%
GCAC Tournament Champions	#
NAIA Regional Tournaments	@
GCAC Regular Season Champions	^
Southern States Atheltic Conference Runner-Up	=