Class. REAL class
Tom Doyle
1/17/2016 |
|
|
Coach, my son has asked me to teach him how to play tennis. I look back at the lessons you taught us, and I am proud to follow you teachings. I have so many emotions as I take the court even today, because I KNOW you are here guiding me through life.
Tom Doyle
3/17/2014 |
|
I use to tell everyone that this was my uncle.. WOW how I miss the good old days. Coach Smith was a very nice man and was an inspiration to alot.
SHERRY SMITH
8/25/2009 |
|
|
I had Coach Smith for drivers training. I was really scared, not only of learning to drive but having a coach for a teacher. I`ll never forget how he complimented me for watching in my rear view mirror and moving forward when I noticed we might get rear ended. It was one of the most meaningful compliments I had ever received in a crazy time of life. You rock Coach. God bless you!
Pam McConaha McGinnis
8/18/2009 |
|
sorry to hear of coach smith`s passing..i remember his health ed.class & as a tennis coach..his remarks about me being fat and not very good at playing tennis in front of 100 people at a banquet really hurt alot coach..i never picked up a racket after that and although i lost alot of respect for you because of those remarks i am sorry to hear of your passing i hope your nicer to those your teaching now..rest easy..joe
joe
10/6/2008 |
|
|
He was such a great teacher and he was genuinely concerned about all of us. I had him for driver's ed (I had tennis the summer before 9th with him, but that's when I found tennis wasn't my sport). Anyway, it was Friday, April 18, 1975,my 15th birthday, and I had on a new dress and was going on my first date (Phil Gumbert, if you're reading this, quit laughing)that evening. Coach Smith was talking about first aid, when he started to describe the day a kid in his class hit his head on a cabinet and was bleeding through a huge gash on his head which Coach Smith ástuffed towels iná. About two seconds later I passed out. I woke up to Coach Smith every so gingerly pulling my dress back down, as it was up around my waist and everyone in the room was looking down at me. Apparently, I had smashed my nose on my desk and was also bleeding. What a great birthday. I went to the nurses office, but refused to call my mother to come get me for fear she wouldn't let me go out that night. Coac
Kelly Smith Whaley
4/10/2008 |
|
Coach Smith is one of the teachers/coaches I think about when I hear the old adage about áthank a teacher.á He was a truly great man.
Mark Gordon, Class of 74
8/21/2006 |
|
|
Hi Coach, I think of you often and still have our CIF quarter-finalist Tennis Team picture on the wall. Thoai, Billy, Kirk and I still play tennis every saturday and we talk of you often. I will never forget the trips to the recycling centers and nights selling football programs to raise money for the tennis team. You are a great inspiration and I will remember you the rest of my days. See you in heaven for some doubles.
Tran Hong
7/24/2006 |
|
All because the speed limit is 55 mph doesn't mean you have to drive that fast. You are thought of often Chris Philips Class of '80
Chris Philips
12/17/2004 |
|
|
Playing football for Coach was very special. I went on to use his methods of teaching when I became a coach and to this day I remember that he not only taught sports but also taught a way of living life and the joys of it. It was great to go to his classroom whenever I had a free period and talk football. I will never forget the smile on his face when I would bring him coke bottles. His wife and family were well loved by him. He was a pillar of a man and someone I will never forget.
David Taylor, Class of'74
11/22/2003 |
|
Hey coach I just want you to know that you were a great insperation in my life and that I remember you every day. I have gone on to see my own son finaly play high school football but it is not like when I played for you. I cant bring my self to put on any Pacifica suport gear when I see my son play even though I wish him the best because I can still hear you leading our team chant áWho are we Aztecs what do we win with defense what do we have a littel fun with offense who are we Aztecsá. I guess once an Aztec always an Aztec. I have gone on to coach in the Pop Warner leage and I hope one day to coach at the high school level just like you I miss you coach and wish you were still hear thank you for all you did for me.
Jesse Viramontes
11/10/2003 |
|
|
Coach, Mentor, teacher, friend.. You will live forever within all the hearts you touched. You gave us a meaning, a direction, and life. You shared you life and family with so many of us. We thank you. Some day, coach, we shall finish our match.
Tom Doyle
6/15/2002 |
|
Coach Smith - what can summarize the feelings and emotions you get if you had the opportunity to be coached by him. He átaughtá the game of football and life by example. I remember how hard he worked - collecting copperwire to take his family to Hawaii for vacation. I have never forgotten his lessons and the examples he set for the whole team. He was a true leader - and someone the world will truly miss.
Carl Hurd class 1974
5/12/2002 |
|
|
Whoever met Coach or spent 2 minutes with the man knows how special he was. It is hard to imagine how many lives he has touched. I have so many fond memories...the early morning tennis tournaments, driving in his ranchero on brookhurst and him slamming on his brakes, opening up his door and scoopin up a crushed coke can on the street then throwin it in the back to recycle. Think about it- he would recycle to make the LQ sports programs better. We are all better people because of Coach Bruce Smith.
Bill Winsininski
4/5/2002 |
|
I had coach for drivers Ed. Hey coach your right it's cool to slow into a turn and accelerate out of it. By the way I havn't had a ticket or an accident ever. Thanks Coach
Bill Wilson
3/28/2002 |
|
|
I remember driver's ed with Smith and how much we all learned and laughed together! One of my teacher's I'll always remember.
Karen Osborne/Keeney
3/27/2002 |
|
I never did apologize to you for making that high speed turn in the Driver's Ed car and almost wiping us out in a ditch beside some orange grove in Irvine back in 1974. I got better. ... More important. I never got to thank you for all the patience you showed a puny underdeveloped kid in P.E. I got better there too coach. Made the sailing team in college and sailed the 6 Meter World Cup right alongside the rest of the world's best. Even when I couldn't you made me feel I could. So I kept trying until I did. Thanks.
Dennis Santiago
3/8/2002 |
|
|
Coach Smith was not only a man who grew up in old Graden Grove with my father, but also a man who also looked out for me. Never critical, always wise in his words. My father spoke highly of his family, and I carry that respect to you Coach Smith.
Cindi Alvitre
12/26/2001 |
|
Coach, I was on your last football team you coached for. We never lost a game.You went 20 and 0, your last 20 games. You were the best.
Mike Zaby
9/11/2001 |
|
|
Coach Smith, I'll never forget that the difference between CHAMP and CHUMP is áUá. áUá were a champ for so many of us, you inspired us to get more out of ourselves than we ever knew we could give. Thank you for you tireless dedication to students for so many years.
Ellis Reyes
7/10/2001 |
|
I didn't have Coach Smith as a teacher or a coach. This is how I happened to meet Coach Smith and his wife. I moved out of LQs boundries (moved to GG) into Santiago High School boudries,but still attended LQ. There was some fund raiser and I had to go door to door, so I went into my new Garden Grove neighborhood, and I knocked on a door and a woman answered, I gave her my best salesgirl pitch and she then told me that her husband was Coach Smith at LQ, and low a behold he was home, he was getting his recyle stuff ready (cans/newpapers etc.) for take out. I was so surprised to see him. I spent sometine talking with him. He really tried to make a point of how important it was to recycle. He was well before his time. Well before curb side bins for recycle . I made a promise to recycle and bring my cans over. I started to save my cans brought them over once and that was it. And they had the best kept home. Very pretty place. He was a very nice man. Everyone at LQ liked him a
Laurie
4/8/2001 |
|
|
I grew up without a dad. But Coach Smith filled that void and then some. Coach Smith was a rare individual who was a gifted teacher, coach, mentor, husband, and father. He balanced all of his roles with magnificence. His legend still lives on in my mind, and one can still visit the halls of La Quinta and see his tennis coaching success still tacked to the wall outside his old classroom. I miss you coach, but your methods for winning live on in me. I will see you later in heaven.
John Wallin
3/3/2001 |
|
Coach,Teacher,Mentor. What a great man. Taught me so much about a winning phylosophy áfor lifeá One of my greatest inspirations and I am so blessed to have known him. To Janet, God Bless.
Glen Parsons
11/17/2000 |
|
|
Under your accomplishments should have been áFatherá-You were the best! Because of you I have such a passion for teaching and love my students-You taught me well dad. I love you and miss you very much! Your daughter, Janet
Janet (Smith) Manier
11/15/2000 |
|
In Memoriam
