By Ann Marie Shambaugh
Andrew Smith was never one to give up when the going got tough. Friends and family members recalled his eagerness to tackle the hardest things first, whether it be on the basketball court, at school or his most difficult challenge of all: a two-year battle with lymphoma.
And although that struggle ended with Smith’s death on Jan. 12, the 1,500 who gathered at Traders Point Christian Church in Whitestown to remember his life Jan. 17 repeatedly heard a story of hope in the midst of tragedy.
“Right now Andrew is experiencing something first that’s way, way better than the entrance into a Final Four game,” said Aaron Brockett, TPCC pastor who officiated the service. He and other family friends emphasized the importance of faith in Smith’s life, saying that his belief in heaven and Jesus Christ’s victory over death provided hope in his final days, and that his family is clinging to that same hope as they grieve.
Others reflected on Smith’s passion and skill on the basketball court. He grew up in Zionsville but attended Covenant Christian High School in Indianapolis before becoming a key member of the Butler University team that made back-to-back appearances in the national title game his freshman and sophomore years.
Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens – who was the head coach at Butler during Smith’s time there – choked up as he remembered the impact his former player made as a basketball player and a friend.
“Nobody could’ve packed more meaningfulness into 25 years than Andrew Smith. It’s impossible to do,” Stevens said. “He never complained. He was always a great teammate. He tried to help everybody else live a little bit better, and he taught us all how to prepare well for our time. You did well, big fellow.”
The memorial service also included several worship songs, the playing of “Amazing Grace” by the Indianapolis 500 Gordon Pipers, and a tribute video. Those in the audience silently held up four fingers on each hand as Smith’s family and closest friends left the auditorium in honor of Smith, who wore the number 44 on his jersey.
Attendees also had the chance to register for Be The Match, a national bone marrow donation registry, in the church lobby. Smith received a bone marrow transplant during his treatment, and he and his wife stressed the need for people to sign up to make a potentially life-saving donation during the last months of his life. Learn more at www.BeTheMatch.org.
