![\"Lee](\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/01\/25\/PLOU\/bc7f2d97-653e-4762-b79b-b1abac441092-DeSalesLeeSmith.png?width=300&height=460&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp\")
<\/figure>\nLee Smith loves soccer and wanted to introduce the sport to as many children as possible in the Louisville area.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“He’s really precious to us.”<\/p>\n
The football community mourns the loss of Smith, who passed away on Tuesday. he was 55 years old.<\/p>\n\n
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.<\/p>\n
“He was that kind of person,” said Bowers. “He was always giving back.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n\n
Vote Now:<\/strong>See top performers and vote for Louisville High School Male Athlete of the Week<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was more than a football coach for DeSales,\u201d says Bowers. \u201cBasketball 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.<\/p>\n\n Smith has been involved in the Louisville soccer community for over 15 years and has also coached the Louisville Soccer Alliance and the YMCA.<\/p>\n Smith used to coach the Mockingbird Valley U-19 team, Johnson said.<\/p>\n “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. \u201d<\/p>\n Smith was also respected by his high school peers.<\/p>\n Vote Now:<\/strong>See top performers and vote for Louisville High School Girl Athlete of the Week<\/p>\n\n Butler Boys soccer coach Mario Carrillo said Smith was “a very good tactical coach”.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Bowers said he and his wife planned 56th<\/sup> Celebrating Smith’s birthday this Friday. <\/p>\n “We took him out to dinner, bought him a nice big steak and drank a few margaritas with him,” Bowers said.<\/p>\n