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Basketball Coach, Educator Lawrence Smithmier Dies

Basketball Coach, Educator Lawrence Smithmier Dies
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
May. 25, 2016 | MAYFIELD, KY
By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 25, 2016 | 12:51 PM | MAYFIELD, KY
Long-time basketball coach and educator Lawrence Smithmier has died.

Smithmier started his college coaching career at Copiah Lincoln Junior College in Wesson, MS as an assistant men’s basketball coach and led them to achieve two Mississippi Junior College State Championships.

He became the head Basketball coach and athletic Director at Paducah Community College in 1973-1983, where he led the Indians to seven KY Junior College State Championships. Smithmier was named KJCAA Coach of the Year during this time as well. He was named head basketball coach at Pearl River Junior College in Poplarville, MS in 1983. Smithmier became Associate head Men’s Basketball Coach at the University of Mississippi helping lead the OLE MISS Rebels to the finals in the SEC Championship. While at Mississippi, Smithmier coached in the NIT Tournament two years. During this tenure he also coached National and Swedish teams and toured Europe for two weeks . While coaching at Mississippi he obtained a Doctorate of Education. Smithmier then took over as head Mens’ Basketball Coach, Athletic Director and Golf Coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Smithmier retired from college basketball coaching in 1996, after having open heart surgery. He and his wife, Pauline then returned to KY, where he coached boys basketball at Lone Oak High School and taught science. While there, he led the Lone Oak Flash to the Regional Tournament four times. 

Smithmier was 74.

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