John Matthew Smith is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Sports, Society, & Technology.  He received his Ph.D. in United States history from Purdue University in 2011 and specializes in the history of American sports, U.S. social and cultural history, and African American history.

His book, The Sons of Westwood: John Wooden, UCLA, and the Dynasty That Changed College Basketball will be published by the University of Illinois Press (Sport & Society Series) in 2013.  He is currently working on a book about the life of boxing icon Muhammad Ali.

In the Spring 2013 semester, Dr. Smith will teach two new courses in Sports, Society, & Technology: Foundations of Sports Studies and the History of Sport in America.