From the campus of Oklahoma Christian University in 1968-69, Dave and Linda Smith utilized their “leadership skills and determination” to build a nationally recognized business, MTM Recognition.
For their work with Oklahoma Christian and their business, the university presented Dave and Linda Smith with the Distinguished Alumni Award Nov. 2 at the 2018 Homecoming Banquet, held annually in the Gaylord University Center.
The Smiths understand the power of awards, distinctions and honors. They founded MTM Recognition, “the most comprehensive recognition solutions provider in the nation,” in 1971. The company produces items to commemorate many notable events, from jewelry lines for Fortune 100 corporations to bronze statues on college campus and even sports awards.
In a video filmed for the event, Dave said creating trophies and statues was not the original plan after graduating from Oklahoma Christian.
“I was wanting to go into the sporting goods business,” Dave said. “I couldn’t make a basketball or I couldn’t make a gym shoe, but I thought of the recognition product business and I could make and manufacture. We have a great, long history in the business. We started it from scratch and people throughout the U.S. respect us for it and respect our employees. You can ask anybody that’s in the business world, they will tell you I’m an alumni of Oklahoma Christian University and I have been very proud of it.”
While attending Oklahoma Christian, Dave played on the historic 1968 Eagles basketball team. The team defeated the 1967 National Champions, Oklahoma Baptist University, en route to the national tournament. Although they did not win the championship, they qualified for the national tournament, became the District 9 champions and went 18-4 on the season. During that season, Smith earned NAIA All-American honors.
Oklahoma Christian honored Smith and the 1968 team as the Team of Distinction at the 2018 Homecoming festivities.
“When I was a basketball player at Oklahoma Christian, I didn’t realize how limited their basketball program was,” Dave said. “But, another great player came with me as well, JD Moonball, and there was another good player, Benny Price. We all got together and thought we could make a big impact on the program.”
Linda also attended Oklahoma Christian and graduated in 1969. She said she treasures her time spent in college and the memories she made while a student at Oklahoma Christian.
“I always had planned to come to Oklahoma Christian,” Linda said. “We had Cameron University in Lawton, but I never considered going anywhere but Oklahoma Christian. I worked 20 hours a week when I was at Oklahoma Christian for Dr. Baird for two years and the coaches my third year. I also tried to stay involved in clubs, activities, yearbook and different things when I had time to. Then, once Dave and I started dating, I started making the [basketball] road trips.”
Linda worked alongside Dave to build MTM Recognition from the ground up, and into the national corporation it is today. Linda said the beginning years of the business were tough because of their busy schedules. Nevertheless, Linda made time to work for organizations to give back to Oklahoma Christian.
“I became real involved with Oklahoma Christian Women’s Association (OCWA),” Linda said. “We had a very good group of OCWA ladies. Our big thing was the Bazaars, our big money raisers. There was a group of us younger girls that got together and had work days all the time. I love the relationships I’ve made with those ladies, and not just the ladies at Del City but all over Oklahoma City, for being involved with OCWA and raising money for the school—we’ve bought a lot of things over the year.”
Dave and Linda Smith both expressed their honor and appreciation for being recognized by Oklahoma Christian, a place they love dearly.
“We understand the power of recognition,” Dave said. “For us to be included in something for the University, we are very proud.”
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