Kaskaskia College announced the passing of Hall of Famer Larry Smith, longtime baseball coach, instructor and dear friend. Coach Smith and his name are synonymous with everything KC related. He was a true champion for his athletes and a dedicated instructor who tried to get students to focus on their health and individual well-being. Very much ahead of his time. KC’s baseball field bears his name in appreciation for a life of dedication and commitment to the students and staff at KC.
Smith came to KC in 1966 as the head baseball coach and after coaching nearly 1900 games he retired after the 2002 season. Only the 4th Illinois Junior College coach to surpass 800 wins, Coach Smith’s teams won 7 conference titles. He was Conference coach of the Year in 1988 and his team record stands at 6 NJCAA sectionals titles. He also had 12 of his players sign with MLB organizations and 3 played in the Big Leagues. Coach Smith is a honoree of the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, Centralia Sports HOF, the Cerro Gordo HOF, the KC Athletic HOF and was inducted into the NJCAA Baseball Coaches HOF in 2009.
