Legendary Coach Gary Smith

This weekend at the Medford Sports Complex the St. Joe's College Men's Soccer team has their final regular season game against SUNY Purchase @ 4:00 on Saturday. The team is currently 10-7 overall and undefeated in Conference play @ 7-0.  They will most likely make the playoffs again and fight for an NCAA bid.

The big story though has dignitaries, politicians and even Bob Costas coming to Medford.  The "big story" is the retirement of one of Long Island greatest coaches and a true gentleman.  Anyone that can make it the ceremony, it will be well worth it.

Coach Gary Smith began coaching over 30 years ago.  He was a Coach at Commack South High School and had Bob Costas as his team manger before moving to St. Joe's College in Patchogue where he has been for 26 years.

Anyone that knows Coach Smith, knows him to be a gentleman.  While Coach Smith's overall record is   304-188-23 (1986-2010) most of his players would tell you that his greatest contribution to them is not his coaching on the soccer field, but rather his coaching and mentoring and being a living example of how to be a man. Unbelievably, I have known Coach Smith for over 20 years through one of his Asst. Coaches Jim Bradley and ex players.  Many of which will be making the trek on Saturday to honor Coach Smith.

It has been my honor to know him and we at Soccer Long Island Magazine thank him for the example he has set for the Long Island Soccer Coaching community.  

God's speed and God Bless Coach Gary Smith.