Fort Lewis College Athletics

Mel Smith became the first wrestler in Fort Lewis College history to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, and rightfully so: His career was as glorious as that of any wrestler in school history.

A four-year letter winner from 1965-68, Smith qualified for the NAIA National Championships in 1967 at 123 lbs. He posted an undefeated record in 1968 at 130 lbs. before a back injury late in the season ended his chances for a national title. He was later nominated for a U.S. Olympic tryout in 1968. In high school, he became the only four-time state wrestling place winner at Olathe High School.

Smith graduated from Fort Lewis College with a bachelor's degree in social studies in 1969 and earned a master's degree in health, physical education and recreation from Adams State College in 1978.

His began his teaching career at nearby Ridgway High School in 1971 before teaching at Palmer High School in Colorado Springs the following year. He arrived at Florence High School in 1973, where he remained until his retirement in 2003. He was chosen as Florence’s Teacher of the Year in 2001.

A teacher, coach and administrator at Florence, Smith served the school as director of athletics from 1988-2003. He also had stints as baseball (1975-78), wrestling (1974-76), track & field (1983-84), and assistant football coach (1976-78, 1980-85) at Florence. He was defensive coordinator of Florence's 1983 state championship football team.

Smith served on the Colorado High School Athletics Association Wrestling Committee for 20 years. He was also a two-term president of the Eastern Fremont Education Association from 1979 through 1981.

He also served in the Colorado Army National Guard for from 1970 through 1991, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Smith died after battling a lengthy illness on March 3, 2010. He was 63.