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Lee Smith loves soccer and wanted to introduce the sport to as many children as possible in the Louisville area.
Corey Johnson, Executive Director of Mockingbird Valley Soccer Club, where Smith coached for 10 years, said: “He spent hundreds of dollars out of his own pocket to accommodate the kids at the tournament, making sure they had the same opportunities as everyone else.
“He’s really precious to us.”
The football community mourns the loss of Smith, who passed away on Tuesday. he was 55 years old.
Smith has been Desales High School’s head soccer coach for the last two seasons. DeSales Athletic his director Don Bowers said Smith suffered a heart attack on Sunday. An organ donor walk of honor was held Tuesday for Smith, who has donated several of his organs.
“He was that kind of person,” said Bowers. “He was always giving back.”
Smith is a former Marine and owned Automotive Service Products. He spent his three seasons (2018-20) as his assistant coach at DeSales before becoming head coach in 2021. His 2022 team finished with his 12-6-3.
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Smith’s two sons play football for the Colts, with Caleb graduating in 2018 and Josh graduating in 2021. Smith’s wife, Sonya, manages the school’s concession stand.
“He was more than a football coach for DeSales,” says Bowers. “Basketball players loved him. Baseball players loved him. Soccer players loved him. He was always here. I joked that it’s not like my assistant AD.
Smith has been involved in the Louisville soccer community for over 15 years and has also coached the Louisville Soccer Alliance and the YMCA.
Smith used to coach the Mockingbird Valley U-19 team, Johnson said.
“His selflessness was unlike anything I’ve seen in my 30 years of coaching,” Johnson said. “He always saw something positive in everyone. I and others might say, ‘Do you really want to give that kid a chance? ‘” It will be really difficult. He first said “I’ll make it happen” so he can practice. He gives him the opportunities that other children had. ”
Smith was also respected by his high school peers.
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Butler Boys soccer coach Mario Carrillo said Smith was “a very good tactical coach”.
“I can’t imagine him not crossing the field on the sidelines next season against Desales,” Carrillo said. “I can’t believe he’s gone….Soccer He’s a huge loss, not just for programs and schools, but for the entire football community.”
Bowers said he and his wife planned 56th Celebrating Smith’s birthday this Friday.
“We took him out to dinner, bought him a nice big steak and drank a few margaritas with him,” Bowers said.
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]; Twitter: @kyhighs.
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