[Glenn Smith passed away in 2007, but his daughter sent the following communication.]
My dad was Glenn Smith, class of 1945, who wrestled at 145 pounds. He won the Easterns his senior year—there were no Nationals during World War II. I have a fabulous poster-sized photo of him in his PSU wrestling duds. He looks ferocious.
The year my dad graduated, Charlie (Doc) Speidel asked if he’d be interested in starting a wrestling program at Bellefonte in 1946, which he did. Two kids showed up for practice the first day. He apparently did a pretty good job recruiting and coaching, because in six years he coached 17 district and regional champions, four PIAA state champions, and one collegiate national champion, Larry Fornicola (Penn State, 1955). We moved to Allentown in 1952, where Dad had a wonderfully successful career as coach until he retired in 1964. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1998.
Dad loved wrestling—talking about it, being part of it, mentoring the kids, ignoring the pain he lived with, always the coach, always pushing them one step farther. He dearly loved Penn State wrestling and Penn State University.
Dad died in April 2007, but would have enjoyed being part of the celebration of the 100th year of PSU wrestling (he almost made it). Although he’s gone, I thought maybe this short story could be included in the many memories of PSU wrestling. Dad would have enjoyed your Centennial book very much. I’d like a copy, and, in his absence, I will enjoy it for him.
Sincerely,
Carroll S. Lee
Arlington, VA
