‘You never know who’s gonna show up’

Former Hawkeye football standout Robert Smith kicks off book tour at Le Grand Library

LE GRAND -- Robert Smith took a massive leap of faith in 1983 when he left his native Dallas and headed north to play football at the University of Iowa, a program then led by fellow Texan Hayden Fry. Well over 40 years later, the longtime football and basketball referee, current executive director of the Center for Urban Education at the University of Northern Iowa, former Waterloo School Board member and former Black Hawk County Supervisor still hasn't regretted the decision.

Smith recently released his first book, "Before the World Knew My Name," and he stopped by the Le Grand Pioneer Heritage Library on Sunday afternoon to kick off a publicity tour that will include stops at libraries all over the state. A small crowd listened to Smith speak and asked questions for just over a half hour as he detailed his journey to Iowa, where he left as one of the most decorated wide receivers in Hawkeye history while also excelling in track.

He recalled seeing Reggie Roby, one of the only Black punters in college football, on television and being intrigued by the Iowa program, eventually becoming the first Texas high school player Fry, who previously coached at Southern Methodist University and North Texas, recruited. Smith's mother asked him if he wanted to play for an institution or a man, and he then learned that Fry had provided the first scholarship to a Black player in the Southwest Conference, Jerry LeVias, back in 1965.

Ultimately, it was the reason Smith came to Iowa, and to this day, it remains one of the best decisions he ever made -- not the best, he added with a laugh, because marrying his wife Terri took the top spot. He was subsequently able to recruit a number of other Texas players to the state, and the pipeline has continued to grow over the years under Fry's successor, current Coach Kirk Ferentz.

One of the key messages of the book, Smith said, is that 'You never know who's gonna show up' and who God will place in your life.

"The right people will show up, but you've got to recognize them. And they're not gonna always come from where you think they're gonna come from. They're not gonna always look how you think they will, but if you recognize them, you'll be amazed by how the world opens up to you," he said.

Another reason for the title of the book is that at one time, Smith, who was born to unmarried parents, actually did have a different name: he was born as Robert Lee Hashaway before later changing his name to Robert Lee Smith Jr. at his father's request.

As he opened the floor up to questions, Smith indicated that he maintains strong ties to the Iowa program to this day, calling Ferentz "a good man," and he discussed his current job at UNI helping first-generation students from low-income backgrounds pursue a college education. He's been with the school for 38 years now and has spent his entire tenure in the same department, joining after briefly considering pursuing a career in the NFL. As a Big Ten football and basketball referee, he has called some of the biggest games on the planet, including the 2011 BCS National Championship Game between Auburn and Oregon.

Smith told one audience member that he was approached about writing a book rather than being inspired himself, and during the process of completing it, his beloved mother, who had moved north to Waterloo, passed away last May.

"I promised her I would get it done," he said. "I'm happy I did it."

He also recalled a message that stuck with him from an educator named Ms. Fullbright: You're not responsible for where you come from, but you are responsible for where you end up. Copies of "Before the World Knew My Name" were available at the event and can also be found through Barnes & Noble.