Shrewsbury XC coach Jim Smith left a lasting legacy on Central Mass. running community

There was a time at Shrewsbury High when Jay Costa thought about being a distance runner. Jim Smith, however, steered him on the right path.

"I tried running distance, but he knew I was better off being a sprinter," said Costa, Shrewsbury's athletic director the past 18 years. "Jim was an amazing guy. He created an environment that was welcoming to every kid. He gave them trust and put them in opportunities to be leaders."

The Central Mass. running community is remembering Smith, Shrewsbury High's cross-country coach for the past 33 years before retiring after last fall's season, who died May 28 in Boston after a long illness. But the son of a minister from the South was far more than a successful, popular teacher and coach.

"Jim always cared about others, and he was passionate about education," Costa said. "He always tried to positively impact someone's life."

"He devoted his life in helping to serve others," former St. John's cross-country coach Mark Murray said. "He affected a lot of people in a positive way,."

Following the example of parents Leon and Antoinette Smith, Jim aimed to address and champion issues such as racial injustice, war and educational inequities. He was involved in the civil rights movement in Atlanta as a high school student and a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War as a college student and young professional.

The history of his acts of kindness, so many while working with young people, is endless, far too many to list here. Twice he headed to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina relief. Nearly 23 years ago, he donated a kidney to the husband of his wife's college friend.

Smith's history teaching stops in Massachusetts included stops in Leominster, Hudson and Weston, following his first post at the Lyman School of Boys in Northborough, where he worked as an alternative to military service.

Smith, who also assisted with track at Shrewsbury, coached cross-country and track at Hudson before heading up the Colonials' program.

"He was very passionate about cross-country, he was very passionate about his runners," Costa said.

"He's a guy you meet only once in a lifetime," said Owen Trombley, a rising senior captain for the Colonials. "At first, I didn't want to run, but gave it a try. Coach Smith did the convincing for me to stay, and he exposed me to a life loving what we do."

"He loved his kids and was ever so patient with them, and they loved him back," Murray said. "He was a big believer in his kids, and he never gave his kids too much that they couldn't do."

"Jim was a great movitator, and was able to motivate all sorts of athletes," said John Murray, Mark's son who was the Division 1 All-State cross-country champion in 2010 and now is an assistant cross-country/track coach at Northeastern University. "He knew how to treat people, a very good person."

Mark Murray, himself a former state champion at Wellesley High before enjoying an impressive career at Holy Cross and beyond. was really appreciative on how Smith coached his son.

"He was so respectful and collaborative to me," Mark said. "He coached John, but he kept me in the movie."

"He meant so much to my career," said John Murray, who also starred at Georgetown University. "I had my dad who I could relate to as a runner, but Coach Smith was the first who helped develop me as a serious runner.

"They always wanted to do the right thing for me. I got really, really lucky."

For John Murray, Smith helped instill firm confidence and valuable leadership lessons.

"I was about a sophomore, and he said to me, 'John, whether it's next year or two years from now, you're going to be the best runner in the state.' " said Murray, who noted that Smith's wife Marcia was one of his favorite teachers in elementary school. "That meant a ton to me, this guy believing in me so much.

"He had great leadership qualities, there are so many things I learned from him on how to coach, how to treat a runner. Great leadership lessons I use to this day."

But as much as Murray thrived as an individual, the team came first. Shrewsbury qualified for the All-State Meet in each of Murray's four cross-country seasons.

"Coach Smith cared so much about the team — it was all about the team, it's the ultimate team sport. And that fired us up as athletes on the team."

"Whether you were our top runner or our 30th runner, he was there for everyone, to help make everyone better," Trombley said.

With son Chris, also a history teacher and distance coach, Smith established in 2008 the Rocky Mountain Cross-Country Camp in Colorado and would welcome his Shrewsbury squads in preseason.

"He was always doing his best making it affordable for everyone on the team, keeping the parents involved," John Murray said. "What a great experience, and it created so much team harmony. He was always focused on the less fortunate, making sure this kid doesn't get neglected."

Smith, who would have turned 80 in August, earned All-Ivy League honors running at Harvard University, where he majored in history. He ran more than 20 marathons afterward, including two up and down Pikes Peak, and was an early member of the Greater Boston Track Club.

Smith not only researched the American history he taught his students, he enjoyed roles in re-enactments. Frequently, Jim and Marcia Smith would visit local schools dressed as Revolutionary War Gen. Artemas Ward, a Shrewsbury native, and wife Sarah. He also marched with the Sudbury Men of Militia and Minute at battle re-enactments in Lexington and Concord each April.

During his final cross-country season at Shrewsbury, Smith was assisted by Chris. "That was an awesome opportunity for him to work with his dad," Costa said.

Earlier it was mentioned that Mark Murray is the former St. John's cross-country coach. He recently accepted the position as boys' cross-country coach at Shrewsbury High, joining daughter Julianna Trapasso, the girls' coach.

"It's a good thing, but I have big shoes to fill," said Murray, who coached the Pioneers for 10 seasons, including a Division 1 All-State title in 2017. "It's a good group of kids, and I'm proud to be with them in dedicating this season to Jim."

Along with wife Marcia and son Chris, Smith also leaves daughter Emily, three grandchildren, two brothers and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are from 4-7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 19 Church Road, Shrewsbury, with the funeral service at 10 a.m. Friday at the church.

—Contact John Conceison at john.conceison@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ConceisonJohn.