Born in Campbell, Ohio, Tom Smolanovich moved to Poland where he studied the college preparatory course and starred scholastically in football, basketball and track and field for the Bulldogs.
In 1951, he was a freshman pole vaulter on the state Class B championship team, and at the time of his graduation, was the only athlete to earn four letters in all three sports that he participated. He was an All-Tri-County selection three seasons in basketball (1951,1952 and 1953), earning all-state honorable-mention laurels in 1954, was an all Tri-County football selection twice (1953 and 1954) and won the state pole vault title in 1954when he cleared the bar at 12-10. He was named to the school's charter Hall of Fame class in 1988.
He originally attended the University of Cincinnati where he played for legendary coach Sid Gilman, and was the leading rusher as a frosh halfback that season. He transferred to then Youngstown University where he played and lettered three straight seasons for Dwight Beede from, 1957 to 1959. A three-year starter at both end on offense, and linebacker on defense, he handled the punting and kickoff duties as well. A three-year letterman, he was the leading receiver for the Penguins as a junior and senior, the same two seasons that he earned "Most Valuable Player' honors while serving as captain (as selected by the coaches) during his final collegiate campaign.
In March/1960, he was selected as co-winner of the "OutÂstanding Senior Student/Athlete "award, which was sponsored by the Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity and a month later, was co-winner of the "Outstanding Senior Athlete" honor as selected by the area sportsÂcasters, sportswriters and YU Student Association.
He was selected to play in the Tri-State Area Little College All-Star Game, then signed a professional contract with the Ottawa Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. He played a portion of the 1960 season with the Roughriders, then was placed on waivers and signed with the Buffalo Bills of the old American Football League. Placed on waivers by the Bills, he re-signed with the Roughriders, but opted to accept a teaching position at his alma matey, Poland High School where he was assigned to teach the business curriculum.
He left teaching and coaching in 1962, and joined the Campbell Soup Company Sales Division, holding various sales and management positions. He was inducted into their Sales Division Business Hall of Fame in Camden, N.J. in 1975.
Currently, he is president of T.S. Industrial Supply in Escondido, Calif., a family-owned business that he started in 1980.
He and his wife of 40 years, Carolyn, are the parents of three sons; Tom, Mark and Curt, and a daughter, Tammie. They have six grandchildren.
