Dean Smith, Topeka High Graduate Dies

                                                                             Dean Smith
                                                                              1931-2015

 

Dean Smith, one of the most famous college basketball coaches ever and a graduate of Topeka High School, passed away over the weekend.  Smith was the coach at the University of North Carolina for 36 years winning two national championships.  He played multiple sports while a student at the University of Kansas.  At Topeka High, Smith played basketball, football and baseball.  He was instrumental in ending Topeka High having separate basketball teams for white and black players.  Smith was too ill to return to Topeka last year when a plaque honoring him was dedicated at Topeka High School.