Smart, who serves as director of basketball operations at Carleton University and as a coaching consultant to the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, is also active with several on-going community organizations. Those commitments preclude him from entering into a second season with the BlackJacks.

 “Based on all my responsibilities with family, my full-time job at Carleton, grassroots minor sport in the community, and my time with the Senators, I don’t have the available time to spend on being general manager of the BlackJacks at a level I would like to,” Smart said.

 Smart was selected by the CEBL to lead basketball operations for the expansion Ottawa franchise in December of 2019. The BlackJacks posted a 4-4 record and fourth-place finish in the recent CEBL Summer Series. Before stepping down as head coach of the men’s basketball program at Carleton to oversee both the men’s and women’s programs in March of 2019, Smart had won 14 national championships with the Ravens men’s program and earned U Sports Coach of the Year honours 10 times.

 “I would like to thank Dave for helping put the BlackJacks on the map in Ottawa, for his ability to attract top talent to the CEBL, and for his efforts and contributions to help grow our game,” said CEBL Commissioner Mike Morreale. “Dave Smart is synonymous with basketball success in Canada. I wish him all the best in his increasingly busy career off the court.”

 The search for a new BlackJacks general manager will begin in the weeks ahead. The 2021 CEBL season is scheduled to begin in early May and run through mid-August.