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The Jim Smith Endowed Basketball Leadership Program Fund

The Smitty Fund

To honor Coach Jim Smith. To build Johnnie basketball, forever.

On SJU's gift form, choose Jim Smith Endowed Basketball Leadership Program Fund from the drop-down.

smitty-portrait.jpg

Founded by Smitty's players

In 2016, Smitty’s former players created a permanent endowment at Saint John’s University to honor his 51 seasons, 786 wins, and the more than 1,000 young men he coached.

Every gift stays invested, and the fund pays out to the program every year. It adds to the program’s budget and never replaces it.

“The lessons I learned through athletics helped shape me to become the man I am. But just as critical was the impact of spending four years around a man with the values and integrity of Jim Smith.”

Tom Witt '76

51

SEASONS

786

WINS

1,000+

PLAYERS COACHED

$1.26M

ENDOWMENT VALUE

$300K

PAID TO THE PROGRAM

66

DONORS

17

FOUNDING DONORS

Explore the fund

Impact

Every project the fund has paid for, from JV coaches to team travel.
See the impact

Donors

The Founding Donors and the five giving levels.
Meet the donors

Make It 2

We hit the front end. Time to sink the second: a $2 million fund.
See the plan

Everyone In

Our goal: 80% of Johnnie basketball alumni giving. Any amount counts.
Get on the roster

Our Story

Smitty's 51 seasons, and how his players came together to honor him.
Read the story

Make It 2

We hit the front end of the one-and-one. About $742,000 more takes the Smitty Fund to $2 million and adds about $37,000 a year to the program.

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