Since 1998, Robinson has been torn down, rebuilt, refurbished and rebranded. Throughout all this, one factor has remained the same. Every winter sports season, Coach Steven Smith has led the boys basketball team to becoming better athletes, students and better young men overall. However, the ’23-’24 season was the last time he would take the court with his team.
“I’ve had some great memories, some great players, some great teams, it’s been a great 25 years. I just enjoyed every minute of it,” Smith said.
Looking back on his time at Robinson, one co-worker, a fellow coach and math teacher Joshua Saunders commends Smith’s service to his athletes and to his school. Having coached the boys basketball team with Smith for six years, Saunders knows him as an extremely hard worker, and a true knight through and through.
“I don’t think anybody cares about their individual players more. I think that’s a pretty big deal, you have to really love players, thats the key to being a good coach. His thing was always the way he cares for his players and supports the program,” Saunders said.”He really pushed his athletes and always wanted them to play hard, coach smith is just super passionate about the game and passionate about robinson basketball, anytime you have that kind of pasion you are always going to get a positive enviorment.”
Over his years as the coach, Robinson has seen a lot of incredible athletes, especially under Smith’s tutelage. Unable to choose just one player, for Smith every student he has coached has changed him in one way or another.
“I can’t really specify anyone in particular, we’ve had some good victories over the years and it’s been a lot of fun,” Smith said. “I love Robinson High School. It’s been the ultimate pleasure and joy and honor to be the head coach of the boys basketball team for the last 25 years. It’s been a great experience and it’s just time to do something different.”
Many students have heard the rumors of Smith’s departure from basketball. One of Smith’s current players Malik Williams (’25) recalls his freshmen year with Smith and his push of encouragement.
“I’ve known Coach Smith since my freshman year because I tried out for the basketball and didn’t make it sadly, but he encouraged me to keeping pushing because he saw what a great player I could become. He is very passionate about the game of basketball and he love all his players and want to push you to be the best of your capabilities,” Williams said.
Williams commended Smith of his vocal character during games, as this verbal passion for the sport has really assisted him as an athlete while trying to make calls in his head in a face-paced game environment.
“He is very passionate and very loud during games,” Williams said. “He is very vocal about whatever he needs something to be done. I’m going to miss a lot about Coach like his vocalist [abilities] on the court and his urge for the game of basketball.”
Williams expressed his gratitude of Smiths coaching and will miss his presence on the court next year.
“I’m gonna miss him a lot because he really pushed me to play hard and brought the best out of me no matter,” Williams said. “I’ve only had him for two years, but these two years have been great with him and I’m gonna really miss him being out on the court with us during the games.”
Rest assured, Smith truly does bleed black and silver, a true Robinson Knight through and through.
“I’ll still be here at Robinson supporting all the kids and athletes and just being a big Robinson guy. I’ll be here for the next 10 years,” Smith said.
