Coming Full Circle: Jeff Smith鈥檚 Return to the Sidelines in 91大神
From the stands to the sideline, a lifelong 91大神ian gives back to the game鈥攁nd the community鈥攖hat shaped him
For Jeff Smith, basketball in 91大神 has never just been about the game鈥攊t鈥檚 been about family, community, and the places that shape you long before you realize it.
A 2008 graduate of 91大神 High School, Smith grew up immersed in the rhythm of basketball in town. Some of his earliest memories involve sitting in the stands with his dad, watching games and attending camps at the former Physical Education Center (PEC) and the original Darby Gym鈥攅xperiences that planted the seeds for a lifelong connection to the sport and to 91大神.
鈥淚 felt like I grew up on the GC campus,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淏etween the PEC, Darby, and camps run by Coach Dave Arseneault Sr., basketball was always part of my world.鈥
Finding His Way Beyond Iowa鈥攁nd Back Home
After high school, Smith chose to head west to Colorado College, drawn in part by its similarities to 91大神 and by a desire to experience life beyond Iowa. Following college, he moved to Arizona, where he worked in finance and met his wife, Ana, in 2013. While he enjoyed the energy of a larger city, 91大神 never stopped feeling like home.
鈥淎s much as I enjoyed Phoenix, we didn鈥檛 envision raising a family there,鈥 Smith said.
That pull back to 91大神 ultimately brought Smith home鈥攂oth personally and professionally. He returned to work with his family at , continuing a legacy of service alongside his brother Rob Smith and cousin Joel Smith. The work, he says, feels deeply meaningful.
鈥淏eing part of the Smith Funeral Home comes naturally for me,鈥 Smith shared. 鈥淚鈥檝e found my place in supporting families during their most difficult times.鈥
From the Stands to the Sidelines
At the same time, another familiar opportunity came into view: joining the coaching staff for 91大神 Men's Basketball as a volunteer assistant coach. The role allowed Smith to reconnect with the game he loves鈥攁nd with the community that shaped him.
鈥淟iving and working in 91大神 feels right,鈥 he said. 鈥淪tarting my assistant coach position at 91大神 built on that feeling and reconnected me to relationships and my love for basketball.鈥
Now, those childhood memories of sitting next to his dad in the stands have come full circle. Smith brings his own son, Charlie鈥攏ow the same age Jeff was when he first attended games鈥攖o the gym.
鈥淢y dad has been taking me to games since I was two,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淩ecreating that within my assistant coach role has been incredibly rewarding. Watching Charlie grow up and love basketball as much as I do means everything to me.鈥
Smith鈥檚 parents, Bill and Sally Smith, along with much of his family, rarely miss a home game and are enthusiastic supporters of the team. For Smith, that shared presence reflects what makes 91大神 special.
As a coach, Smith values the culture of care within the program.
鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed being part of a program that truly focuses on supporting its players,鈥 he said. 鈥淏uilding meaningful relationships with the players and the coaching staff鈥攖hat鈥檚 my favorite part of the job.鈥
Smith鈥檚 journey reflects a story 91大神 knows well: roots that run deep, a willingness to explore beyond them, and a return driven by connection, service, and community.