In Memory of
Coach
William R. Smith, Sr. 

In Loving Memory of 
Coach William (Bill) Smith Sr., BRHS

October 6, 1942 - November 30, 2014

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Bill Smith passed away on November 30 at the age of 72. Smith coached boys' basketball at Broad Ripple H.S. for 23 seasons. His 1980 team won the state championship.

Many former players came out to honor the man that made a big impact in their lives, including Indiana Pacers guard George Hill, who played on Smith's last team at Broad Ripple.

"Great guy, great coach, he kind of carved me the be the man I am today," Hill said.

"He opened the doors for me, from a student-athlete standpoint, in terms of steering me in the right direction, and I thank him more for that, being able to graduate on time," said Mike Woodson, a 1976 graduate who went on to play and coach in the NBA.

Even Smith's own high school coach, Johnny Wilson, was in attendance.  "He knew the game. He studied the game well, 'cause I was coaching then myself in Chicago and I'd come talk with him, we'd go over different things. I'd tell him some things, he'd tell me some things, I used more of his things than he used of mine," Wilson said.