A Pioneer Lost

[glenn]

Girl's and women's basketball has lost one of its first and most important journalistic figures. And on the occasion of Joe Smith's death, we name our national forum for him:

http://hoopgurlz.com/story/pioneer-lost

[intelligenthoodlum]

..., with a basketball in one hand, and a pen and pad in the other.

Damn; and the IH always looked forward to Joe telling him that the IH was wrong...

[lboogie]

I was lucky enough interact with him during my early coach days in NYC, he was quite a character!

[CamrnCrz1974]

I met Joe at the Nike TOC a few years back, and we always got together for some meal when he was in Phoenix. He was someone who was very opinionated and you could argue with a great deal on the message boards, but someone who was great to chat with in person and a lot of fun to be around. He will be missed.

[ifyousayso]

I met Joe a few years back as well. Certainly a pioneer in the sport of Womens Basketball and a person who's opinion I valued. Just a terrible loss...

[ProudParent]

Just want to say I am happy that I had the opportunity to have met Joe, gotten to know him well and just simply enjoyed how he expressed his views -- he will be deeply missed.

[NYTraveller]

Joe was a pioneer, a supporter and a true fan of our game, and, more than any of that, he was a bridge connecting different regions, levels and eras in women's basketball. I'm amazed (really shouldn't be - he did know everybody in the game after all) by how many of us who post here (and unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of meeting many of you in person) either knew Joe well or at least had a nodding acquaintance with him. He was a one man "one degree of separation" who tied together many of us in a common love for the game.

I first met Joe at Christ the King HS' Tournamnent of Champions in 1987 - my first contact with the world of big time HS girls basketball. It seems like I've seen him at every single big event since - things definitely won't be the same without him.

[Hoopsking]

In being part of the Christ the King family, Joe Smith was a regular. I met Mr. Smith a few years ago when I was introduced to him by Mr. Winston Kelly. Joe Smith took the time out to talk to both myself and my daughter and provided great insight of the game of basketball as well as life itself.

Joe Smith will be dearly missed by not only myself, but the entire basketball community.

[glenn]

Courtesy of Lynn Flanagan, his friend of 29 years. Lynn is the associate head coach at Loyola Marymount.

[MCPOjim]

Glenn, if I stay here long enough I hope I learn something from your writing. Good story!!!!

[glenn]

Friday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m.


Gray Funeral Home
318 East Broad Street
West field, N.J. 07090

908-276-0092