Hinkle Fieldhouse, the iconic gymnasium in Indianapolis where Butler University plays its home basketball games, has witnessed many unforgettable events over the decades.
Saturday, the grand old building hosted a basketball game between Butler and St. John’s, but the event everyone will remember did not involve a shot or a fast break or a rebound.
Andrew Smith, a member of Butler’s back-to-back NCAA runner-ups under former coach Brad Stevens in 2010 and 2011, died earlier this week at the age of 25.
Saturday, his widow, Samantha Smith, addressed the crowd at Hinkle, creating one of those moments which is simultaneously crushing, awe-inspiring, and deeply beautiful:
#AndrewSmithStrong widow @Samantha44Smith addresses #HinkleFieldhouse crowd at halftime to thank them for support. pic.twitter.com/Dc55vioqOF
— Rich Nye (@RichNye13) January 16, 2016
Samantha Smith’s words formed the centerpiece of the day’s events. The school also offered this video tribute to Andrew Smith:
Here's the Andrew Smith tribute aired today at Hinkle Fieldhouse: https://t.co/89c22kcvHK pic.twitter.com/5VcoHjNREV
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) January 16, 2016
Another touching tribute occurred after the game, courtesy of Butler’s current head coach, Chris Holtmann:
Class move by @ButlerMBB coach Chris Holtmann giving game ball to father of #AndrewSmith. #TheButlerWay @WTHRcom pic.twitter.com/xYw1wsTttP
— Ben Reiff (@BenReiff) January 16, 2016
The afternoon produced this meaningful piece of outreach as well:
#staypositive founder & cancer survivor Eric Day expects to raise over $20,000 for #AndrewSmithStrong family today. pic.twitter.com/hcE23kPUeG
— Rich Nye (@RichNye13) January 16, 2016
A death of a wonderful person at age 25 is a shattering, searing event, something which breaks the human heart. Yet, whereas some early deaths convey the reality of unmet potential and the poor choices which accompany it (think of Lawrence Phillips), other early deaths simply make us wish that a person could have stayed here on Earth, doing good for many more decades.
Andrew Smith was that kind of person. His death leaves behind the sadness that he can’t create even more goodness than he did… but he sure created a bountiful amount of goodness on Saturday. For that, the Butler community can be thankful, even as it mourns the loss of a special soul taken from these earthly bounds much too soon.
To appreciate the life and legacy of Andrew Smith — and how Samantha Smith will carry her husband’s story to inspire others in the future — here are a few pieces which will add to your sense of the man, and the woman who paid tribute to him on Saturday:
I didn't want to write an obituary on Andrew Smith. I wanted to celebrate his life. Here's my attempt: https://t.co/XpauCB4HE3
— Bob Kravitz (@bkravitz) January 13, 2016
Andrew & Samantha Smith fought through some of life's most difficult trials at a young age. @tsnmike on their zeal: https://t.co/M7Mn7IBsAn
— Sporting News College Basketball (@sn_ncaab) January 13, 2016
Sunday, Brad Stevens — Andrew Smith’s coach at Butler, who visited Smith just before he died — will eulogize Smith at a memorial service.
