EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Dr. Joe Lee Smith, Former Faculty Observe Athletes, Reminisce With Steve Wilson

Athletes From 55 Years In the past Reconnect with Legendary Pioneer Coach Joe Lee Smith

WATCH: Dr. Joe Lee Smith, a long-time educator and former monitor and area coach at Miami Dade Junior Faculty was just lately visited by 4 members of his 1968 monitor crew, together with Samuel Payne, Johnny Kemp, Charles Jackson and Richard Smith. The Friday Night time Locker Room’s Steve Wilson was available for the go to.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Dr. Joe Lee Smith, a long-time educator and former monitor and area coach at Miami Dade Junior Faculty was just lately visited by 4 members of his 1968 monitor crew, together with Samuel Payne, Johnny Kemp, Charles Jackson and Richard Smith.

Typically, we don’t consider the affect we’ve on others, particularly younger individuals. Smith is a extremely revered particular person residing in Brevard County and his record of accomplishments is so prolonged it might refill this complete article.

An extended-time educator, a few of Smith’s many awards that he has earned embody, Brevard Neighborhood Faculty Distinguished Service Award, the Humanitarian Award from Onyx journal, and the United Third Bridge (U.T.B.) Puerto Rican Taino Award for his endeavors to advance the Hispanic group in Brevard County.

Most individuals don’t notice that Smith, a long-time educator, was additionally the primary black head coach in any sport at a university in Florida. He was the pinnacle monitor coach at Miami Dade Junior Faculty in 1968.

Smith’s one 12 months of teaching noticed his crew go undefeated and win the state junior school championship. As spectacular as that’s, his affect was extra profound off the monitor than it was on.

Not too long ago, 4 of Smith’s former monitor crew members got here to Brevard County to see and go to with “Coach” Smith. The affect he had on the lives of those 4 people is immeasurable.

ABOVE VIDEO: The teachings taught by sports activities present a philosophy of life for Dr. Joe Lee Smith, educator, advocate and mentor. 

Payne, Kemp, Jackson and Smith smiled and laughed for hours throughout their go to, as reminiscing with Coach Smith introduced again many completely satisfied reminiscences for these former student-athletes.

Payne talked about how Smith was in a position to make such an affect in only one 12 months. He mentioned Coach Smith, who was a first-time monitor coach, was so profitable as a result of he was not teaching the game as a lot as he was “teaching the individuals.”

Payne, who retired from the ability firm, was at one time in control of all of the transmission within the state of Florida. He mentioned, “I took among the ideas that Coach taught me and utilized them to my day by day job.”

As Kemp put it, Coach was “gentle, mild, however agency. He didn’t cuss you; he didn’t name you names,” however he would get his level throughout.

Jackson talked about speaking with Coach. He mentioned Coach may go from being a coach, to a father determine, to a brother determine. It was the one-on-one reference to the athletes that made Smith particular.

Smith, who was raised by a single mom, attended highschool in Coconut Grove, Florida, and was coached by the ultra-successful Traz Powell. Smith mentioned Powell acted as a father-figure to him and others. When he attended Miami Dade Faculty, he was in search of that very same father-figure and he discovered it in Coach Smith.

He mentioned Coach Smith was the form of person who he may go to and assist him with any points he might have.

“Coach was at all times desirous to hearken to my issues.” He went on to say, “not solely have been we profitable in monitor, however he mentored us to be the people we’re.”

Dr. Joe Lee Smith, or as his former scholar/athletes name him, Coach Smith, is a main instance of how one ought to carry themselves. He has lived his life the correct approach, at all times treating individuals with respect, encouraging others, and making issues higher than they have been earlier than he arrived.

We want extra coaches and mentors like Dr. Joe Lee Smith. He’s really one of many “good guys!”