On October 6, Frank C. Smith passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on the morning of his 69th wedding anniversary. He and wife Diane raised their three children: Cheri (Janice), Lori (Randy), and their son Casey along with granddaughter Lyllia (Connor). Son Casey tragically predeceased Frank only one year after he coached UBC to its third Vanier Cup national championship. Frank and his family enjoyed many vacations together in sunny locations. Hawaii was a favorite. Frank was an avid reader and remained devoted to his daily exercise regimes right into his early 90’s.
Frank’s football journey began at Vancouver College, where his achievements earned him a place on the institution’s Wall of Fame. After coaching community football, he pursued further education and played guard for several teams in the Canadian Football League. In 1959 Frank relocated his family to the United States, where he taught high school history and coached football in small towns across Washington state. He completed his master’s degree at Eastern Washington University while coaching that team. His coaching career in the US advanced with his appointment to Wenatchee Valley Junior College followed by two years at Montana State University. In 1969 the Smiths headed back to Canada.
Upon returning to Vancouver, Frank coached at both Killarney and Sentinel Secondary Schools for several years. In 1974, he became the head football coach at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Over the next twenty years, he led UBC to eight Shrum Bowl victories against their cross-town rivals, Simon Fraser University (SFU), five Canada West Hardy Cup wins, and four appearances in the CIAU Vanier Cup championship game. UBC claimed the National Title under his leadership in both 1982 and 1986.
Following his tenure at UBC, Coach Smith continued to shape Canadian football by taking on coordinator positions with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the BC Lions. He retired in 2001 at the age of 71.
Throughout his distinguished career, Frank received several prestigious awards, culminating in his induction into the Canadian Football Sports Hall of Fame in Hamilton in 2019, an event celebrated with his entire family in attendance. Frank’s influence on countless players, fellow coaches, and his family will be felt for many years to come.
A Celebration of Life will occur at the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre at 6163 University Boulevard, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z1 at 4:00 on October 27. A reception will follow.
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