2001 Inductee – Colorado Chapter

Lifetime Achievement Award

Bob Smith is recognized for his years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship in young people through the sport of wrestling.

Coached 41 years

Officiated wrestling 35 years

Dual meet record: 337-73-9

A 1954 graduate of Denver North High School, Smith went to the University of Northern Colorado and wrestled under John W. Hancock, graduating in 1958. He then took the job as head wrestling coach at Wray, Colorado and built a wrestling dynasty in his 33 years at the school. During that time, his teams compiled a 337-73-9 dual meet record and captured 10 Colorado State Team Championships and 7 runner-up finishes. Smith coached a total of 139 place winners in the state wrestling tournament in his career at Wray High School. In 1983 he became the Director of Athletics at Wray High School. Bob also started a youth wrestling program in Wray in 1959. He was a referee for 35 years and officiated in two NAIA National Tournaments.

After his retirement in 1991, Bob pursued a career as a collegiate wrestling coach at Ft. Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. In his 8 years at FHSU, his teams placed in the top 15 four times in the NCAA II National Tournament and produced 13 All-Americans. In 1997 he was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Coach of the Year

Smith’s activities and honors beyond coaching are extensive. He completed a master’s degree at UNC, was the 1976 Scholastic Wrestling News Coach of the Year, 8-time Colorado Wrestling Coaches Association Coach of the Year, 1984 National High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year, Colorado High School Athletic Directors Association Executive Committee (1977-1991). In 1989 he was inducted into the UNC Hall of Fame and the Colorado High School Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1998 he was inducted into the Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame. Smith also was the driving force to consolidate the Colorado State high school wrestling tournament in one location.

Bob Smith’s dedication to the sport of wrestling as a coach, official and administrator has produced an extensive and ongoing legacy of development of the sport of wrestling and the youth of America.