Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 4, 1993 TAG: 9305040198
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Smith, a native of Bristol, Tenn., who came to Roanoke College as a football player, was the head football coach at William Fleming High School from 1938 through 1967. Smith also coached track, basketball and baseball, and he started the wrestling team at Fleming. He was also a softball and basketball official for many years.
Smith, a 5-foot-8, 152-pound regular at Roanoke College for four years, earned all-state honors in 1932 in football. He also was president of the senior class that year.
He was an assistant football at old Jefferson High School in 1933, went to Covington as a coach in 1934, returned as the freshman coach at Roanoke College in 1937 and went on to a long and distinguished career at Fleming. Smith's Fleming teams, playing in the smallest of two state classifications, had a record of 157-99-20 against teams from bigger schools.
Smith once said he enjoyed coaching all sports but that football was his favorite.
"I guess I had more success with football. It teaches you so many things you can apply in future life. And so many people other than the players can enjoy it," Smith said in an interview several years ago.
Smith's career nearly ended soon after it began. A car carrying some Fleming players from an away game wrecked in Abingdon, killing two of the Colonels.
"I almost quit coaching. But the parents and the community were wonderful. We all got together, and somehow we got through," Smith said.
As a smaller school, Fleming did not have a lot of success against Jefferson, its biggest rival. Smith's first football victory against the Magicians didn't come until his 1958 team won 27-20. However, his 1945 team finished unbeaten after tying Jefferson 12-12.
Though the series wasn't even, Jefferson and Fleming drew crowds in Victory Stadium that approached 20,000. Most of the proceeds from the games supported the athletic programs of the two schools.
Once, when the Magicians were having their way with the Colonels, Fleming assistant Harry Bushkar said to Smith, "Fred, we're getting the heck beat out of us."
To which Smith replied, "I know it, but look at the crowd in the stands. Think of all the uniforms they can buy."
Smith called the 1952 team his best. That team finished 9-1, losing only to Jefferson and beating Front Royal in the playoffs for the quarter-state championship, which was as far as a team could advance in postseason play at that time.
Smith's 1948 basketball team went 23-2. Playing as a Group II school, the Colonels beat Group I powerhouses Jefferson and E.C. Glass.
Smith was selected Roanoke Valley Citizen of the Year in 1961 and Father of the Year in 1956.
Smith is survived by his daughter, Nada Jane Von Mahland of Connecticut; a stepdaughter, Hester Yvonne Shingleton of Roanoke; and a stepson, Jerry Edward Sweeney of Roanoke.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 3 p.m. at Oakey's Roanoke Chapel. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Virginia Heights Baptist Church.
by CNB