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The Plain Dealer I Thursday, March 10, 2005 Handyman crafts Walsh girls into state contenders
TIM ROGERS He is a craftsman by trade, one of those guys who can turn your basement into a comfy family room with built-in bookshelves, recessed lighting and a wet bar. It was just a coincidence that Don Smith was chosen to build the Walsh Jesuit girls basketball program when the school became coed 12 years ago. Today, he leads the Warriors into their first state tournament game. Walsh Jesuit (23-3) plays Lake Catholic (18-8) in a 3 p.m. Division II state semifinal at St. John Arena in Columbus. The winner will play for the championship Saturday at 10:45 a.m. Unlike many of his coaching counterparts, the 57-year-old Smith is not a teacher, even though he owns a degree in secondary education from the University of Akron.  Instead, he is the school's maintenance man. He prefers to work with his hands, just as his father did. He prefers the challenge of building dugouts for the school's softball field to the challenge of monitoring a social studies test. He loves the freedom of mowing the outfield grass to lecturing teenagers on civil rights. He would rather pull on a pair of carpenter jeans than wrap a designer tie around his neck. "He does everything from shovel the school walk when it's snowing to in the spring planting and painting," said the team's senior point guard, Kathleen Gladstone. "He built our team room and lockers. It's pretty awesome." Smith describes himself as a laborer. He is content in knowing that he is good at what he does. Sure, it has cost him a few bucks over the years, but money has never been an issue. "I don't think I've ever done anything for money," said Smith, who was regarded as one of the best all-around athletes in Summit County while attending Tallmadge High in the mid-1960s. "It's never been important to me." What's important to Smith are playing hard and family. What matters are teamwork and a sharp band saw blade. What's critical are proper shooting form and a miter box. Quality work is more significant than winning ugly. He has one steadfast rule for his team. "When the whistle blows, your mouth is shut," he said. "If a kid has a legitimate excuse for missing practice, so be it. But, when the whistle blows, I want their full attention." Heading into the final week of the 2004-05 season, the Lady Warriors have everyone's attention. They have won 21 consecutive games. They defeated the state's second, third and 11th-ranked teams in order to reach the Division II state semifinals. After snapping a four-year streak in which seasons ended in the regional tournament, they will play in the Final Four today against Lake Catholic. "I've been to one girls state tournament in my life," said Smith, the father of two grown children. "It was back in the late 1980s. I enjoyed it, but I vowed I would never go back unless I was taking a team there. After those four losses I started to wonder. But, there is something about this team. They find a way." If the Lady Warriors have any trouble grasping the situation, Smith can help. He knows what it's like to play for a state championship. He was the losing pitcher in the 1966 Class AA state championship game. It is a loss that haunts him nearly 40 years later. "I gave up a two-run homer to their catcher," said Smith, who was a standout third baseman, but was on the mound that day only because the team had no one else. "We lost, 3-1. I can still see the pitch. I think about it, but only because I wish I had thrown a better pitch. I will make sure the girls know that opportunities like this, the opportunity to become a state champion, don't come around very often. So, when they do, you've got to make sure you seize it." By the way, Walsh did win the Ohio Girls Division II Championship. Way to go Don! |