As we continue with our Alumni Spotlight project we look back at an alumnus, who left an indelible mark on not just Dickinson but everywhere he went post graduation. Roger Smith, class of 1961, was a man who touched the lives of so many people both here at Dickinson and beyond through his charismatic personality and love of life. His lifelong friend Dave Williams, class of 1960, sat down with us to talk about his friend and the everlasting legacy Roger left behind on his friends, his family, and the Dickinson community. 

Roger competed and enjoyed success in both football and track & field. He earned All-Middle Atlantic Conference football honors in 1958.  Two of the bigger highlights of his career were sparking the Red Devils to a thrilling victory over an imposing Wagner team by taking a stolen ball 65 yards for a touchdown and returning an interception 87 yards for a touchdown against Washington & Lee.

In track & field he thrived as a high jumper. Competing in mostly dual meets, the Red Devils put together an 8-1 season in 1958 and went unbeaten with a 9-0 mark in 1959. During his career he won the high jump eight times, adding 10 second and 10 third place finishes. He capped his career with a strong senior year, placing first in five meets.

Roger Smith '61 – Football/Track & Field

Football (6-24-1)

Record             Statistics

1957: 0-6-1     

1958: 4-4         1 TD (65 yard stolen ball), 1 field-goal; MAC Honorable Mention

1959: 1-7         1 TD (87 yard Interception)

1960: 1-7         1 TD (11 pass reception) 

Track & Field

High Jump: First Place Finishes: 8; Second Place: 10; Third Place: 10; Fourth Place: 1 

1958 (8-1 meet record)

Little Three Championship: HJ, 2^nd

Penn Medical College: HJ, T-2^nd

Lebanon Valley: HJ, T-1^st (5'8.5")

Western Maryland: HJ, 2^nd

Albright: HJ, 3^rd

Johns Hopkins: HJ, 3^rd

Bucknell: HJ, 3^rd

Gettysburg: HJ, 3^rd

Ursinus: HJ, 3^rd

1959 (9-0)

Little Three Championship: HJ, T-3^rd

Penn Medical College: HJ, T-2^nd

Albright: HJ, 2^nd

Johns Hopkins: HJ, 1^st (5'10")

Bucknell: HJ, 2^nd

Gettysburg: HJ, T-2^nd

Lebanon Valley: HJ, T-3^rd

Western Maryland: HJ, 2^nd

1960 (5-2 dual-meets; 1 win, 1 third in tri-meets)

Western Maryland: HJ, T-1^st (5'8")

Gettysburg: HJ, 2^nd

Little Three Championship: HJ, T-3^rd

Johns Hopkins/Ursinus: HJ, T-4^th

Susquehanna: HJ, T-3^rd

Albright: HJ, 3^rd

1961 (2-1 dual meets; 1 win, 2 seconds, 2 thirds in tri-meets)

Lebanon Valley: HJ, 1^st (5'6")

Penn Medical College: HJ, 1^st (5'11")

Susquehanna: HJ, 1^st (5'8")

Little Three Championship: HJ, 3^rd

Western Maryland: HJ, 1^st (5'10")

Johns Hopkins/Ursinus: HJ, 1^st (5'8")

Albright/Juniata: HJ, 2^nd

Click on the link below to check out Roger's good friend Dave Williams '60 exclusive interview on Roger and his incredible life.