Gene Smith ’54. After graduating from McPherson High School in 1950, Smith decided to attend McPherson College. While earning his bachelor of science degree in physical education and industrial arts, Smith also found time to earn 12 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball, and track. During those four years, he was also a three-time all-conference performer in football and a two-time NAIA All-American in football. As the small college leading rusher in 1953, he would hold the McPherson College rushing record for the next 44 years. To top off his collegiate career, Smith was also a draft choice of the Detroit Lions in 1954.

Smith began his professional teaching career in 1955 as a physical education and industrial arts teacher with the Topeka Public Schools. For the next 34 years, he would serve the Topeka schools as an active, involved educator and often head coach of football and track. From 1980 until he retired in 1989, Smith served as the Topeka school district’s general director of central services.

In addition to teaching and coaching, Smith often served as a football and basketball official at area schools, and as a starter in many track meets. Smith was also principal of the Kansas Coaches Association in the late 1960s and chairperson of the committee that established the Kansas State High School Activities Association high school football playoff system. He was active in Ducks Unlimited and a member of First Lutheran Church, Topeka. For this posthumous induction, Smith’s son Rich will represent his father.