Induction introduction presented by Shawntell Manning, 1996 Tufts graduate and 2024 Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame inductee

"When Branwen Smith-King retired from Tufts Athletics in 2017, it marked the close of a remarkable 35-year journey—one defined by excellence, compassion, and transformative leadership. During those 35 years, Bran became one of the most influential and impactful leaders in the history of Tufts Athletics.

Before Tufts ever had the privilege of calling her a coach and administrator, Bran had already made history. Born and raised in Bermuda, she represented her country at the 1971 Pan American Games in Colombia at just 15 years old. She was a standout member of the Bermuda National Track and Field Team, and she became the first Bermudian athlete to win a gold medal in international competition.

In 1974, Bran came to the United States to attend Springfield College, where she excelled as an All-American and New England champion. But it was her unwavering fight for equity that would foreshadow the leadership she would later bring to Tufts. Confronting discrimination as a student-athlete, she and her teammates organized successful protests that helped earn varsity status for women’s track & field and equal access to training facilities. In 2006, Bran’s many achievements on and off the track at Springfield were honored with induction into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Tufts became the next chapter in Bran’s journey, though not without some initial hesitation. When then-Athletic Director Rocky Carzo offered her a job in 1982, Bran initially declined—she was focused on finishing graduate school and not entirely sold on New England winters. But as those who knew Rocky will tell you, he usually didn’t take no for an answer. Countless Jumbos would benefit from Rocky’s persistence, as Bran eventually relented and made the move to Medford.

Bran joined Tufts at a time when women’s varsity sports were just beginning to gain traction, and she wasted no time elevating the women’s track & field and cross country programs. As head coach for 18 years, Bran built Tufts into a national powerhouse. More than 50 of her athletes achieved All-American status, including eight-time national champion Vera Stenhouse, Class of 1991, a member of our inaugural Hall of Fame class. Several of Bran’s teams finished in the top five nationally, and in 1999, the Tufts women’s cross country team earned its first-ever NCAA Championship berth.

In 2000, Bran stepped away from coaching, but her positive impact on Tufts Athletics only deepened. As Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, she continued advocating for student-athletes; launching wellness initiatives for incoming students; supporting varsity, club and intramural sports; and playing a pivotal role in shaping the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

What truly set Bran apart was not just what she accomplished—but how she accomplished it. As former Athletic Director and fellow Hall of Famer Bill Gehling put it: “Bran is a warm and caring human being. She brought compassion, integrity, and thoughtfulness to everything she did.” Even in her administrative roles, she maintained her personal connection with students. “She always brought a calm, sensible point of view,” Gehling added. “She could be firm—but always with a smile. Students knew she was their advocate.”

Those sentiments were echoed by the many student-athletes who came together to honor Bran upon her retirement. They didn’t just talk about races won or records broken—they told stories of a mentor who shaped their lives. One former athlete recalled how Bran’s encouragement helped her fight cancer years after graduation. Another shared how Bran quietly supported her through personal trauma at home.

Jan Brown, a member of Branwen’s very first women’s track team at Tufts, may have said it best: “Besides her commitment to making sure we succeeded athletically, it was her personal relationships with us that mattered most.”

Branwen Smith-King’s legacy is defined by decades of fierce determination, courageous advocacy, and tremendous heart. And through it all, she remained grounded in her belief in the unifying power of sport.

As Bran said upon her retirement: “To me, athletics represents the beauty of humankind. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, what color your skin is, what country you’re from. That didn’t matter when the starting gun went off or the game started. I had experienced that firsthand—and I loved that.”

Thank you, Bran, for sharing that love with us for 35 years. We are so honored to celebrate the profoundly positive difference you've made in the lives of so many Jumbos. Tonight, we proudly welcome the amazing Branwen Smith-King into the Tufts Athletics Hall of Fame!"