Although he’s been an Everett guy most of his life, Bob Smithson said a piece of his heart always will remain in Oak Harbor.
A 1963 Cascade High School graduate who coached and worked as an administrator in the Everett School District, Smithson resigned in May from his job as Oak Harbor High School’s athletic director, a position he held for three years.
Smithson, who turns 62 in September, said he originally had planned to work at Oak Harbor High longer, but he quit because he had a difference of opinion with school administrators. He declined to be more specific.
In his time at Oak Harbor, Smithson enjoyed significant success. He helped the school gain enough community support to pay for a new stadium, which is under construction and scheduled to be completed Aug. 15. And late last year, the Wildcats football team won the Class 4A state championship, the first state team title in school history.
“I put three good years in here. … It’s been a blast,” said Smithson, who recently put his Oak Harbor home up for sale and plans to move closer to Everett.
Smithson’s replacement at Oak Harbor is Nicki Luper, formerly Sultan High’s athletic director.
Smithson made a lot of friends in Oak Harbor and will be missed, Oak Harbor head football coach Dave Ward said.
“A lot of (good) things happened: the stadium and just the support he gave to the whole program. (Oak Harbor) athletics in general really just benefited from his presence,” Ward said.
Oak Harbor High principal Dwight Lundstrom did not immediately return a phone message Friday seeking comment on Smithson’s resignation.
Smithson previously was athletic director of the Everett School District and at Cascade High. He coached Cascade’s baseball team for 14 seasons (1987-2000).
Although he’s not completely sure what he’ll do next, Smithson said he’d like to take some time off and possibly find a baseball job, maybe as a part-time scout for the Philadelphia Phillies or as an assistant coach for the Everett AquaSox. He’s had informal talks with representatives from both teams.
No matter what he tries next, Smithson said he’s excited to do something different.
“It’s just gonna be a whole new experience,” he said.
An honor and a privilege
Back when he was Cascade’s baseball coach, Smithson coached Bruins alum and Cleveland Indians All-Star Grady Sizemore. It’s been fun to watch Sizemore, a center fielder, emerge as one of the game’s best players, Smithson said. The coach doesn’t take credit for Sizemore’s success, though.
“It’s a great honor to be able to have had some part in his life,” said Smithson, “but he’s in the big leagues because he’s a (gifted) player. I just managed the assets for a couple years.”
Smithson was quite a player himself. As a pitcher, he received a partial baseball scholarship to Washington State University. Later, he pitched for Everett Community College and was taken by the Angels in the 12th round of the 1965 Major League Baseball draft.
Stanwood plans special scrimmage
Alumni of Stanwood High’s football program (players, coaches and officials) are invited to attend the Red and Gray scrimmage at noon Aug. 25 at Stanwood Stadium. The reunion gives past members of the program a chance to meet current coaches and players, Stanwood coach Dick Abrams said. For more information, call Abrams at 360-629-1300, extension 5033.
Numbers up at Lakewood
Nearly twice as many Lakewood High student-athletes are expected to play football this year, second-year Lakewood coach Dan Teeter said. Sixty players from grades 9-12 signed up, compared to 34 last year.
One possible reason for the surge: Teeter told players they could get new home jerseys if an average of at least 20 of them showed up for morning workouts throughout the spring and early summer. Lakewood, which hopes to bounce back from a 1-9 record in 2006, achieved its goal.
“I’m very proud of them for their work,” said Teeter. “We still have a lot of work in front of us, but we’re on the right track.”
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