Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Smith’s retirement leaves hole at STA
George Smith has been involved with St. Thomas Aquinas since he was hired in 1972, so it’s hard to imagine life without him just north of Davie Boulevard and west of I-95 in Fort Lauderdale.
With his name synonymous with the Raiders’ athletic success over the past half-century, what’s in store for the future of Aquinas after the Friday news that he’s set to retire at the end of the 2020-21 academic year in June?
The best way to honor Smith’s legendary 39-year tenure as athletic director or 34 seasons as head football coach is to do what he was most known for: Winning. And do it with a similar work ethic that he instilled in the program long ago.
“Today, the story he tells is ‘the start that never ends,’ which means he expects us to continue to work and win with a champion effort and STA pride in mind,” said current St. Thomas football coach Roger Harriott, who has won four state titles under Smith at STA and another as University School coach in 2012.
Smith, 72, accumulated a 361-66 record with six state championships and a pair of national championships as a head football coach. After retiring from coaching in 2011, the Raiders won six more football titles under Harriott and previous coach Rocco Casullo while Smith remained as athletic director.
As the Aquinas girls basketball team won the Class 6A championship in Lakeland on Saturday, it became the 112th FHSAA state title a Raiders team has won during Smith’s tenure as athletic director, of which he can also claim 13 national champions.
St. Thomas Aquinas principal Denise Aloma will have the critical task of hiring the school’s next athletic director. As Smith wraps up his AD career through the spring sports season, Harriott posted on Twitter that Smith “will continue to be directly involved with our football program.”
Over the past six years, Harriott, who also played for the Raiders, has been able to observe and carry on Smith’s blueprint. Regardless of who is St. Thomas’ next AD, Harriott can withhold the school’s proud football tradition.
“Since being hired in 2015, I’ve been fortunate to spend quality time with Coach Smith on a daily basis,” Harriott said. “As an obvious wealth of knowledge, he shared the plans and process for success. The two focal points for success he stressed were the business of serving and educating people and the little things. Nearly 50 years later, his competitive nature and spirit to serve others are still present and apparent as he continues to lead, guide and advise.”
Beyond the victories, Aquinas will continue to be a program that develops its high school athletes, prepares them for the future and gives them an avenue for college scholarships.
“In my opinion, outside of his many wins and accolades, his greatest achievement is the help and support he provided to coaches and athletes around the country,” Harriott said.
Bryan Baucom, who has been with Smith much of the past 38 years as an offensive lineman in his playing days, an assistant football coach that has served as offensive coordinator and a head softball coach, expressed a similar sentiment.
“I look at Coach as a leader, a motivator and a father figure,” Baucom said. “He is always putting everybody else before himself. He will truly be missed by all.”
While Smith will be missed, his successor and those that remain at Aquinas will look to carry on his legacy and the values he instilled in the program.