John Smith (2018) - Hall of Fame - Bowling Green State University Athletics

John Smith

Induction:
2018

Smith was the first scholarship wrestler at BGSU, competing for the Falcons from 1955-1959. He served as captain on the 1959 team, which became the first undefeated team and won the first MAC Team Championship.

Prior to arriving in Bowling Green, Smith was a finalist for the US Olympic Trials in 1956, preceding his freshman season. He would go on to record a 93 percent winning percentage while at BGSU with a 41-3 record. He concluded his collegiate career by becoming the 1959 MAC Champion at the 137 Ib. division and had an undefeated season.

Smith continued to have an impact in wrestling by coaching for 30 years. Over that span his teams had a combined record of 193-72-2 (winning 73 percent of his matches), while 296 of his wrestlers placed in Ohio state-run tournaments. In 1977-78 he was awarded the Northwest Ohio Coach of the Year award. Smith is also the founder of the Northwest Ohio Coaches and Officials Associations, and served as President and Vice President for two terms.

"My high school basketball coach told me that I was too short to play," Smith said. "He suggested I go out for wrestling. Harry Lanzi became my high school wrestling coach and he was a great influence on me.

"Bruce Bellard got me into Bowling Green," Smith continued. "I was at Wisconsin on a full wrestling scholarship but I didn't like it because it was too big. He was able to provide me with a scholarship to come. I owe an awful lot to BG. I was a first-generation college student. The University provided me with the educational background to be a successful teacher and coach for 30 years.

"In the education department, everyone was like our fathers. Even Doyt Perry would take care of all the athletes, not just the football players."

Smith was also inducted into the Ohio Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1989, the Whitmer High School Hall of Fame in 2004, and the Sylvania High School Hall of Fame in 2009.