There aren’t many names as synonymous with Naperville athletics as Dick Smith. One of the founding fathers of both the Naperville Little Redskins football program and the Naperville Little League and Pony League, Coach Smith infused his love of sport into his community, providing a place for young people to take as much delight in athletics as he did. At the collegiate, high school, and elementary levels, as an athlete, coach, and official, Smith embraced the pure joy of competition, commitment and teamwork, challenging and celebrating the potential in all around him.Smith’s athletic career began as a student at Pardeeville High School in Wisconsin. Leading a graduating class of 25, in a school of 100, Smith was a force on the basketball court. Inspired by the example of his coach, Mel Barkley, Smith earned the Individual Scoring Crown of the Dual County League with 144 points in his senior season. Pardeeville High School holds a special place in Smith’s memories, as he shared, “I have to give many thanks to Coach Barkley and the Pardeeville High School staff for helping me make the decision to become an educator.” In many ways, Naperville also owes Coach Barkley a debt of gratitude for that same reason.The Pardeeville influence prompted a very determined Smith to pursue his degree and broaden his athletic pursuits at North Central College. Though basketball was the only sport offered at Pardeeville High, Smith was an accomplished three-sport athlete for the North Central Cardinals, competing in football, basketball and baseball. As a sophomore, Smith earned all-conference honors in football and was on his way to a conference championship in basketball when he left to join the U. S. Army Air Corps. After he was honorably discharged in December 1945, Smith returned to the court eight games into the 1945-46 basketball season.In 1946, Smith was named to the CCI All-Conference football team, leading the Cardinals to their first conference title. A captain for the 1947 team, Smith played in the only bowl game in school history: a 21-0 loss to Southern Illinois University in the Corn Bowl. His accomplishments and leadership earned him a spot on North Central's All-Century Football Team (1898-1998). Not content to excel in just one athletic arena, Smith continued to pursue his love of basketball, earning all-conference honors for his 1946-47 season while serving as captain. A two-time captain of the baseball team, he led the team, upon his return from the war, with a batting average of .421, knocking in 3 home runs and an average of 13 RBIs in each of his final 3 seasons. Smith’s competitive spirit, loyalty to his school and teams, and unblinking commitment to his country earned him high praise from classmates, teammates, coaches and professors alike. An article titled “Smith – Triple Threat Cardinal,” published in his senior year called him undoubtedly, “one of North Central’s best athletes in the history of the school,” a sentiment echoed – and celebrated – by Smith’s 2005 induction into North Central College’s Hall of Fame.Smith graduated in 1948 and continued his love of athletic career as a physical education teacher and coach at Naperville Central High School, where he earned Coach of the Year honors from The Naperville Sun in 1981. As the head football coach from 1970-1975, Smith’s teams earned 3 conference championships and compiled a record of 42-18. He enjoyed his years as an assistant, tackling roles as head sophomore coach and head/assistant defensive coordinator while garnering a record of 192-94-3 over a career that saw 7 conference championships and five state playoff appearances. Smith was named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1989.Always at home in the gym, Smith headed the varsity Redskin basketball team from 1951-1955, propelling his teams to strong conference finishes. Smith remembers with special pride the work of his 1952-53 team, led by Don Alford, the league’s top scorer with 328 points in 14 games, and Harley Knosher, his captain who went on to play for Miami of Ohio and became an assistant coach at Northwestern University, then an Athletic Director and basketball coach at Knox College. In 1956, Smith took his love for basketball to the officiating world, where he worked as an official until 1985. After a long officiating career that featured work on all levels of both girls and boys, Smith was selected to the Illinois High School Basketball Association Hall of Fame in the Officials Category in 1987.Arguably, Smith left his most impressive mark on the baseball diamond. He not only started the program in 1952 (with a $300 budget) but as head coach from 1952-1970 and 1977-1981, he pushed his teams to a career record of 298-96, 15 conference championships, 3 summer league championships, 9 district championships, 3 regional championships, and one state semifinalist finish in 1969. Smith was named to the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1983.With all of his Hall of Fame recognitions, impressive record, and individual achievements, Smith finds most reward in his relationships. His connection with his teammates and coaches, his personal ties to his former students and athletes and his experiences in all of his communities have both touched and inspired Smith, who has, in return, left a lasting impact on all fortunate enough to share in his life. As former NCHS athletic director Ron Stewart once noted in The Naperville Sun, “One of [Smith’s] strongest qualities is the relationship he establishes with his team members, their families, and his staff, whether his teams are winning or losing.” A proud father and grandfather, Smith takes his greatest pleasure in his family “team,” the biggest win in a lifetime of impressive wins.