Chris Smith, Athletic Director, Head Coach Boys and Girls Varsity Squash
email
603-229-4705
Chris, a figure in education and sports leadership, started at St. Paul's School in 2014. Equipped with a B.A. from Hobart College and a Master of Sports Leadership from Northeastern University, Chris has played a pivotal role in shaping the institution's athletic landscape, spearheading various transformative initiatives. In 2023 Chris took over as AD and wasted no time in spearheading initiatives to elevate the school's sports programs. Notably, he played a pivotal role in the overhaul of the school's athletic website, ensuring that the SPS community has access to up-to-date information, schedules, and resources, thus enhancing the overall experience for athletes, families, and supporters. Chris also championed an athletic branding project, elevating the visibility and identity of SPS athletics both internally and externally. He has also been instrumental in implementing a cutting-edge streaming system, outfitting every field and team with cameras for live coverage. This innovative approach has not only modernized the way SPS athletics are showcased but has also fostered greater engagement and connectivity within the community. His strategic leadership and dedication have solidified SPS as a leader in sports education.
In his time at SPS, Smith has raised the level of the SPS boys and girls squash programs to new heights, in both the New England and National rankings. In 2019 both teams were ranked in the top 10 nationally – the girls at #10 and the boys at #3. In 2024 the Girls finished #7 in the country, its highest ranking in program history. The teams have produced endless college squash players, won New England Team Sportsmanship Awards, New England titles, and developed All-New England and All-American award winners. In 2015 and 2016 Mr. Smith was named to the U.S. Squash Top 50 Coaches list, the only high school coach to gain that honor in either year. Mr. Smith is active in national and local squash governing bodies and has dedicated his career to bettering the sport at all levels of play. Prior to arriving at SPS, he served as the men's and women's assistant squash coach and director of recruiting at Harvard University. During that time he helped coach the women's team to three straight national championship games, winning it all in 2010. Mr. Smith has coached two College Individual National Champions, won Ivy League titles, and developed numerous All-Americans. He was the founding head coach at Northeastern University and led the new program to a top-20 national ranking in its first three years of existence. Mr. Smith coached the USA Junior National Team (2004-2006), which appeared in two World Junior Championships in his tenure. He also worked as Head Squash Professional at The Union Boat Club in Boston. Mr. Smith started his squash coaching career as the director of squash at Squashbusters in Boston, and has been active in supporting urban squash programs for over three decades.
Outside of the department, Chris serves as the Head of House in Middle, where he resides with his wife and two children.
Daniel Toulson, Associate Director of Athletics, Head Coach Boys Varsity Soccer
email
Daniel joined the St. Paul's School faculty in 2023 and serves as the associate athletic director and head coach of the boys' varsity soccer team. Prior to joining SPS, Mr. Toulson was the head coach of men's soccer at Emerson College. In 2022, his first full season as head coach, he led the Lions in a historic turnaround, placing second in the NEWMAC Conference, with an appearance in the championship match, after nine seasons in last place. Mr. Toulson coached three all-region and three all-conference selections during that season and his coaching staff was honored as the conference and regional staff of the year. Outside of coaching, Mr. Toulson has worked to support the growth of soccer internationally; serving first as the international program's coordinator for the GPS Foundation, whose work supported soccer clubs in Haiti and Uganda, before moving on to a business development role with the Social Impact Sports Technology start-up, TapIn Mobile Solutions.
Originally from New Zealand, Mr. Toulson played for the New Zealand U19 team before attending Kenyon College in Ohio, where he studied international relations and was an all-conference selection while captaining the men's soccer team.
Mr. Toulson lives in Coit with his wife and daughter.
