While his untimely death surprised and saddened the wrestling community and his students, this PJ Smith obituary will focus on his lasting legacy.
The former UNCP Wrestling Coach, a true hero of North Carolina wrestling, died early Monday. Paul “PJ” Smith was a well-known wrestling coach known for his attention to detail, excitement, and dedication to the sport. Smith’s wrestling career started at Enloe High School in Raleigh.
He honed his skills at North Carolina State University. Similarly, he started coaching at Jacksonville High School. After working at Ravenscroft and West Millbrook Jr. High, he transitioned to collegiate coaching in 1978. Smith’s well-known job at UNC-Pembroke began in 1981 and lasted 25 years.
Smith supposedly had a 255-150-3 record for the UNCP Braves. The excellent coach led the charge to keep the UNC-Pembroke program alive in the 1980s and 1990s. He coached 33 All-Americans and 13 Academic All-Americans while also leading his club to two top-10 finishes in the NCAA Division II national tournament.
PJ Smith’s Obituary
The wrestling community was devastated to learn of PJ Smith’s death on November 6, 2023. He was an excellent supporter for wrestling in North Carolina and elsewhere. His abrupt death shook the North Carolina wrestling community, prompting multiple online condolences.
His family, friends, and the athletes he coached were all crushed by the news. O.T. Johnson, UNCP’s current wrestling coach, stated, “UNCP wrestling, UNC Pembroke, Robeson County, North Carolina, the wrestling community nationally — we lost a good one today.” Nevertheless, his contributions extended well beyond coaching.
Smith was more than just a coach; he was heavily involved in many aspects of the wrestling scene. He was a long-time board member of NCUSA Wrestling, serving as State Chairperson for several years. Smith was well-known as an official. He officiated several styles of wrestling, including folkstyle, freestyle, greco-roman, belt, and beach wrestling.
In 2004, he got the NCHSAA Golden Whistle Award. In 2006, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s North Carolina chapter. He was also inducted into the NCAA Division II Hall of Fame in 2006, and the UNC-Pembroke Hall of Fame in 2015. Finally, Smith sat on the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors and was a vocal advocate of the organization’s mission.
A Legacy Beyond the Mat.
Aside from wrestling, PJ was known as a friend and mentor to numerous wrestlers, officials, and coaches. Smith had a talent for fostering a sense of community and camaraderie in the wrestling industry. What differentiated PJ Smith was his unwavering commitment to assisting others.
He was known for offering opportunities for wrestlers from impoverished backgrounds. He also opened up his home to members of the UNCP Athletics community who needed a place to live. Furthermore, Smith’s influence spread beyond the wrestling community.
He taught numerous local children to swim at the UNCP swimming school. He also hired wrestlers to work at the camps and helped a huge number of individuals get their lifeguard certification. In this way, he extended his help and advice beyond the wrestling ring and into the community as a whole.
Cause of death
Although many in the wrestling community are concerned about the cause of PJ Smith’s death, the details have not been made public. Regardless, his untimely demise startled everyone, as he was only seen publicly last week at the UNCP HOF ceremony. His death, like any tragedy, was unexpected, serving as a sombre reminder that life is fragile and unpredictable.
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