Campbell University

One of the most successful coaches in Fighting Camel history, Earl Smith was inducted into the Campbell Athletics Hall of Fame on Apr. 25, 1986.  A native of Micro, N.C., Smith played both basketball and baseball at NC State before transferring to Campbell.  In 1936-37, he was chosen all-conference in football and basketball for the Camels.
 
He transferred to East Carolina in 1937 and became a three-sport standout before graduating in 1939.
 
After several high school coaching stints and a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Smith coached one year at East Carolina before returning to Campbell in 1946.  He remained at Campbell through 1953 and directed the football, basketball, baseball, tennis and cross country teams.
 
Under Smith’s guidance, Campbell won three-straight North Carolina Junior College football state championships (1946-48).  He also led the 1948-49 and 1951-52 Camel basketball teams to the JUCO National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.
 
His 1948-49 squad finished 25-6 and ranked No. 9 nationally among junior colleges.  The 1951-52 unit completed its season with a 23-12 record.
 
Smith returned to East Carolina in 1953 and served as assistant football, basketball and baseball coach.  He was named head basketball coach in 1958 and with future Campbell AD Wendell Carr as his assistant, directed the Pirates until 1963, when he was named head baseball coach.
 
On the diamond, Smith guided the Pirates to the 1963 NAIA national tournament, where they finished third.  ECU joined the NCAA and Smith’s baseball team won four Southern Conference titles and earned five NCAA postseason berths.
 
During his brilliant coaching career, Smith’s teams suffered only one losing season in any sport.  He was inducted into the East Carolina University Sports Hall of Fame in 1977 and the American Association of Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1972.
 
Smith also served as a scout for professional baseball teams from 1947-67 and was instrumental in signing Jim Ray Hart, Randy Hundley and Gaylord Perry to pro contracts.  He also recommended Jim and Gaylord Perry to Campbell.
 
Inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, Coach Smith passed away Aug. 5, 2012 at the age of 95.