The late Casey Smith, a 1988 Kinesiology graduate, happens to be one of only three UBC head coaches to guide the ‘Birds to Canada’s university football championship, the Vanier Cup. Casey earlier played Thunderbird football from 1983 through 1985 under the tutelage of his father, Hall of Fame head coach Frank Smith, also one of those three to win a Vanier Cup.
Casey’s speciality in Kinesiology was Coaching Science in which he attained his Masters degree while an assistant coach with the Thunderbirds. In 1995 Casey succeeded his father as head coach of UBC football and within three seasons he created and guided a team that would win the 1997 Hardy Cup, the Atlantic Bowl and finally with a 39 – 33 victory over the University of Ottawa, the Vanier Cup.
Tragically in 1998 Casey was diagnosed with liver cancer delegating his coaching responsibilities on to his Defensive Coordinator. The team dedicated the season to him with the words “Courage for Casey” affixed to their helmets with Casey promising to support his team from the stands. At his last public appearance, the 1998 Shrum Bowl, he was presented the Football BC Builders Award while receiving a standing ovation. Former player Dan Elliott reminisced, “I would describe Casey Smith as UBC Football – you know, hard work, dedication, courage. He put everything he had into the program.”
Fred Hume
2020
