The Smith’s were a fixture in the Joppatowne sports community since the 1960s. They retired from coaching in 2007 after 38 years in the high school coaching circuit, coaching everything from swimming to tennis, volleyball, baseball, basketball, and football. The couple was instrumental in the creation of the Joppatowne Recreation Council, one of the first recreation programs in Harford County. Ted Smith, in fact, served as the very first President of the Joppatowne Rec Council in 1965.

Swimming was the Smith’s first passion and not only did they coach the Joppatowne High School swim team for many years, but were involved in the creation of the Harford Swim League – coaching for both the Joppatowne Tigersharks and the Fountain Green Dolphins over many years. The Smiths taught many children in the Harford County area to swim, both at the Rec and High School level and even crossed generations, teaching prior athlete’s children to swim. The Smiths would take on any challenge and in no time have the swimmer crossing to the other end of the pool.

The recurring theme that you hear when you ask about the Smiths is their dedication to the kids and their outgoing, fun-loving personalities. People time and again speak of how they are “just really nice people”. We were honored at Joppatowne to have the Smiths coach our swimmers and are proud to be able to claim them as our own Harford Swim League Hall of Fame inductees.

The Smith's daughter Carmie accepted on behalf Ted and Maryann.

We are extremely pleased to be nominated for membership in the Harford Swim League Hall of Fame.  It is always special to be recognized by one’s peers for job well done.

We must confess, however, that the greater reward was knowing that we were contributing to the health and well-being of young people.  To touch so many lives over such a long period of time it was its own reward truly and truly a labor of love.  We cherish many fond memories of our work with young people and their families.

We wish to thank you for this recognition and applaud your efforts on behalf of so many children and young adults.  Through your many efforts they begin to recognize the importance of being part of something bigger than themselves, while improving their own health and happiness.

-Ted and Maryann Smith