Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF COACH GLOVER L. SMILEY, JR., OF SPARTANBURG COUNTY, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Glover L. Smiley, Jr., of Spartanburg County on September 19, 2022, at the age of sixty-eight; and
Whereas, born in Newton, Mississippi, on June 24, 1954, the young Glover was the second of Glover, Sr., and Angie Smiley's ten children. He graduated from Orr High School in 1972 in Chicago, Illinois, after earning ten varsity letters and a scholarship to attend West Virginia State College in Charleston, West Virginia; and
Whereas, in preparation for his career, Glover Smiley graduated in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from West Virginia State. In addition, he held a master's degree in counseling from the same institution and an Educational Specialist degree from the University of South Carolina; and
Whereas, in 1993, Glover Smiley was named head track coach of Spartanburg High School. During his tenure as head coach, he coached forty-five All-Americans and five national champions and amassed a stunning 807-58 record at the high school level. Spartanburg High never had a shortage of athleticism. Coach Smiley's success record can be attributed to his ability to get students on the track team. He coached his last meet at the New Balance Nationals just before his retirement in 2018; and
Whereas, described by his superintendent as "always ... positive, always smiling, and always instructing," Glover Smiley was named Track Coach of the Year for fourteen years and was a recipient of the Mike Byrnes National Coach of the Year Award; and
Whereas, Coach Smiley was best known as a men's and women's track coach at West Virginia State from 1978-1988. In 1979, he organized the first women's track team in the history of the college, and in 1982 his women's track team won the first West Virginia IAC Conference Championship in the history of the conference. He was named NAIA Coach of the Year for five consecutive years from 1983 to 1987, WVIAC Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1985, and NAIA District 2B Coach of the Year from 1983 to 1988; and
Whereas, in addition to his assignment as head track coach at Spartanburg High School, he also served as a high school guidance counselor and an at-risk intervention specialist for District 7 Schools; and
Whereas, Coach Smiley will be remembered for much more than his coaching accolades, which were numerous. The longtime coach was the first Black head coach of any varsity program at Spartanburg High School, and he left an impact on every person he encountered. He was an icon of Spartanburg School District 7 as a dedicated member of the Spartanburg High School guidance department, as head track and field coach, and as so much more for nearly thirty years; and
Whereas, Coach Smiley leaves to cherish his memory his two children, Mitchell and Karyn, as well as a host of other family members, former colleagues and students, and friends. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Coach Glover L. Smiley, Jr., of Spartanburg County, celebrate his life, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.
This web page was last updated on September 27, 2022 at 2:50 PM