In Memoriam: Coach Norman Earl Smith

Published Aug 07, 2012 by
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East Carolina University Pirate Hall of Famer Norman Earl Smith died Aug. 5 in Fayetteville.

Smith was inducted into the Pirate Hall of Fame in 1977, in honor of his stellar coaching career in ECU basketball (1959-63) and baseball (1963-72).

Coach Norman Earl Smith
(Photo from ECUPirates.com)

With Smith at the helm, the Pirates baseball team finished first place in four consecutive years in the Southern Conference, from 1966 to 1970. The team’s overall record under Smith’s leadership was 185-103-2. Smith led the Pirate basketball team to a 53-40 record.

Smith graduated from ECU in 1939. From his sophomore year through his senior year, he was a member of the Pirates baseball, basketball and football teams.

Smith was also inducted into the Campbell University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986 and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.

After retiring as a coach he became a professional baseball scout for the San Diego Padres.

For information on the Wednesday funeral service, visit http://www.directorsadvantage.net/sites/jernigan/new_view.php?id=99395.