10 Feb More on Coach Dean Smith’s UB/HU Connection
Alfred Smith (third from the left) with other Huntington University students in front of the Administration Building (now Becker Hall).
Randy Neuman (right), the Huntington University Archivist, provided some additional information to a previous post about Coach Dean Smith’s connection with the UB church and Huntington University. Smith, who passed away on February 7, became one of the all-time winningest college basketball coaches during his years at the University of North Carolina.
Neuman says Dean Smith’s grandfather, Rev. Harry E. Smith, pastored at Chanute, Garnett, Haven, and other locations in the old Neosho Conference (Kansas area). Smith’s father was Alfred Dillon Smith; Neuman suggests that his middle name may have been in honor of Bishop William Dillon.
Alfred Smith and his brother, Cecil, attended Central/Huntington College and graduated from the Huntington College Academy–Alfred in 1917, Cecil in 1918. In 1918, Alfred and 12 other Central/Huntington alumni joined the US Army and were stationed at Camp Selby in Mississippi. Alfred then returned to Kansas, receiving a teaching degree and coaching at the high school level.
Randy writes, “I would not be surprised if Dean actually attended UB churches as a child, since his parents lived for a while in Chanute, Kansas.”
Bob kaehr
Posted at 17:23h, 10 FebruaryRandy,
I would love to see more of this type information published; not because such “high profile” individuals are more significant than other “UBers”, but their achievements show how God has used our people or our training programs in making this earthly home just a little better. That should be an encouragement to us all. Thanks for a job well done.
Bob
Casey Casebolt
Posted at 14:12h, 16 FebruaryRandy,
The story printed in the Chanute Tribune last week has really caught the attention of myself and several other “former Chanute” residents. I do know that Dean was born in Emporia in 1931, so he would not have attended school or church in Chanute, at least as a resident on a regular basis. I am trying now to confirm that his mother was an elementary school teacher in Chanute, second grade I believe. Have not determined the exact years but do believe she was 2nd grade teacher of a classmate of mine’s father. If I confirm another part of this story I will definitely share it with you. As far as I know at this time, the fact I am pursuing has never been published and Dean Smith was only vaguely aware of it the one time it was discussed. Very, very interesting.