Sports 10-05-2016

The new pilot of the Jets

Michael Smith named new athletics coordinator at EBHS

By Cary Shuman

Michael Smith has been an outstanding teacher and coach in East Boston since 1994. He is the leader of the East Boston High School ninth grade academy and the director of the history program.

This year he has added a prestigious new title: athletics coordinator of East Boston High School.  He will oversee the school’s 13 varsity teams that compete in fall, winter, and spring sports seasons. Smith succeeds Ryan Conway in the position.

Headmaster Phil Brangiforte, a former athletics coordinator, said was pleased to have Smith at the helm of the Jets’ program.

‘Mr. Smith knows athletics, has outstanding experience in the school community and he’s the best person for the job,” said Brangiforte. “I’m confident that he will lead our program to continued excellence. He knows the tradition of East Boston High School and he will implement some great ideas and expand our athletic program further.”

Smith is a 1985 graduate of Austin Preparatory High School where he played soccer and baseball. He played one year of college lacrosse at Roger Williams in Rhode Island and graduated from UMass/Boston.

After teaching physical education at the O’Donnell, P.J. Kennedy, and McKay Schools, he was appointed a dean at East Boston High School in 1994. He is also the EBHS softball coach.

“I love East Boston,” said Smith. “There are so many great kids, like the young man, Tyrone Figueroa, who was a superstar athlete at East Boston High School. I’ve known him since he was in elementary school. He’s now an algebra teacher at the high school and coaching JV football and he’s my assistant softball coach.”

Smith has already launched an “Athlete of the Week” recognition program on the school Web site. He has set a goal of sending a greater number of East Boston student-athletes on to compete in college programs.

“Because I’ve been through the process myself (his daughter, Miranda, is a lacrosse player at Nichols College), I feel I’ll be able to help other student-athletes as well,” said Smith, who also has a daughter, Emma, a college student, and a son, Evan, 7.

Smith also hopes to take advantage of the in-house academic support program for athletes, who must maintain a 1.67 grade point average to be eligible.

“My goal is to increase the number of students who participate in the Boston Scholastic Athletes Zone [tutoring program],” said Smith.

Smith is excited about the excellent start of the school’s volleyball, boys and girls soccer, and football seasons this fall.

“We have a fantastic set of coaches in all sports who value athletics as well as academics,” said Smith. “We always want our students to demonstrate the class and sportsmanship that East Boston is known for and live up to the standard of integrity and excellence that [the late] Mr. Anthony Albano instituted in this school – that we do it the right way.”

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